RECOGNIZING THE "ORGAN MAN"
At Silent Movies Made Musical
Friday, April 12, 2024
CINCINNATI (March 18, 2024) Mayor Aftab Pureval will deliver a Proclamation from the City of Cincinnati on Friday, April 12 at Silent Movies Made Musical to recognize Cincinnati's Organ Man, Ronald F. Wehmeier.
Since the early 1960s Ron has skillfully rebuilt and restored pipe organs, and in 2009 he restored the Mighty Wurlitzer organ in the Music Hall ballroom. Ron added a classical division, a flute celeste and soft strings, replaced the original relay with computerized switching, added an automatic player system, and restored a 1925 Steinway Grand to accompany the 1927 Wurlitzer.
His work requires the skills of a number of trades, including watchmaker - because of the delicacy of the parts - carpenter, and metal craftsman.
The Friends of Music Hall affectionally dubbed Ron the Organ Man, who said, "Hearing your work come to life, just to see the people enjoying the music—this has always been a great thrill to me."
The Friends of Music Hall presents our popular silent film concert series featuring organist Tedde Gibson mastering the Albee Theatre Mighty Wurlitzer Organ in the Music Hall Ballroom while screening Captain January (1924) and Carmen Jr. (1923) on April 12 at 7:00 p.m.
All seats are reserved. Tickets are $34 with discounts for groups of 10 or more, seniors and students. Call 513. 621.ARTS, online at CincinnatiArts.org or at the ticket office at the Aronoff Center.
Captain January, based on an 1890 children’s novel about a lighthouse keeper and his adopted daughter, stars Diana Serra Cary also known as Baby Peggy during her career. She was one of three major American child stars of the Hollywood silent film era.
Tedde Gibson is a pianist, Hammond and theatre organist making his debut at Music Hall. He is also a composer, arranger, and silent film scorer. Mr. Gibson will conduct a Q&A after the screenings.
About the Friends of Music Hall
The Friends of Music Hall is a nonprofit volunteer-driven membership organization with a mission to preserve, improve, promote, and provide education about Music Hall. In addition to preservation projects, activities include tours of Music Hall, a speaker series, outreach to schools, and concerts featuring the restored Mighty Wurlitzer Organ in the Music Hall Ballroom. FriendsofMusicHall.org
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