THE SANTA BARBARA
THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY


The Great Theatre Pipe Organ of the Arlington.
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Dennis James, 8 March 2009, 2PM

    On March 8, 2009 at  2:00 p.m. the Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society hosted world renowned organist Dennis James to accompany  two silent film classics. Silent films presented were a short film by Hal Roach “Never Weaken” starring Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, and also the feature film “The General” starring Buster Keaton.   A show-of-hands from the large audience revealed over half had never been to the Arlington to experience silent movies with theatre pipe organ accompaniment.

The new CD is available now

    The Great Theatre Organ of the Arlington arrived in Santa Barbara on 7 September 1986 as 20 tons of miscellaneous organ parts.  In the next two years, over 36000 volunteer hours were spent refurbishing and installing the organ.  The first concert was on 1 October 1988 with Tom Hazleton to a sold-out house (2007 seats).

    We had a 20-year celebration concert on Sunday, October 5th 2008 at 2 PM featuring Scott Foppiano (Tom Hazleton's student) who accompanied two Laurel & Hardy silent movie comedies, gave a demonstration of the organ, and played popular favorites.

    After the concert, Scott recorded tracks for his new CD: Christmas at the Arlington.  The CD is available now.  Click the CD tab above.




Overview of Arlington Theatre from the Balcony.  Main Chambers I and II are in the spanish village on the left.  Solo Chamber is in the spanish village on the right.  The percussion shelf is in back of tower at the left of the stage.  The organ rises on a lift from the middle of the forestage.  The ceiling is semi-elliptical which is acoustically very kind to the organ.  The theatre seats 2007 people.