OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Old Orchard Beach residents will have the opportunity to experience the magical sound of an antique theater organ on May 20.

The Portland chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society have partnered with local community group OOB365 to present “The Mighty Wurlitzer in Concert” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at Loranger Memorial School. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and admission to the concert is free.

The concert will feature the Wutlitzer 3/13 opus #1634, an antique organ maintained by the  Pine Tree Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and housed at Loranger Memorial School. It’s used for Pine Tree Chapter meetings, school programs and occasional concerts. 

The organ was built in 1927 and installed in a theater in New Rochelle, New York, and used for shows and to accompany silent movies, according to the history of the organ compiled by the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.

After the invention of talking movies, organs like the Wutlitzer 3/13 opus #1634 were no longer needed for movies, and were only occasionally used for special events. 

The American Theater Society acquired the Opus #1634 for no charge in 1969, restored the console and an agreement was arranged with the town of Old Orchard Beach to house the organ at Loranger Memorial School.

The organ has a variety of tones and can produce sounds of a number of instruments including a tuba, clarinet, oboe and flute. It can also produce the sounds of cathedral chimes, sleigh bells, an xylophone and cymbals. In addition, it can emulate a bird whistle, horses’ hooves, a boat whistle, a fire alarm bell and a car horn. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.