Global InformationCastro Organ Devotees Association information
The Castro Organ Devotees Association (CODA) is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the tradition of live organ music in San Francisco's Castro Theatre.[1] The theater is a popular San Francisco movie palace, built in the 1920s, which gained Historic Landmark status in 1976.[2] The original Robert Morton organ was removed in the 1950s.[3] The present organ, widely regarded as one of the finest theatre organs assembled, was assembled in the late 1970s using components from other organs, including its console, which was originally built in 1925 for the State Theatre in Detroit, Michigan to accompany silent pictures.[3][4] The current console and organ were built by the Taylor family starting in 1979, and it has been owned and maintained by them since, but in 2014 they moved taking the console and one fourth of the pipework.[3]
David Hegarty, the Castro Theatre's resident organist, formed CODA to act as a rescue organization for the remaining parts, and formed a partnership with organ designer Alan Harrah who had previously built one of the largest electronic organs in the world.[1][4] Together they are constructing one of the largest electronic organs in the western United States with seven keyboards, retaining 800 organ pipes.[1][4][5]
CODA is set up as an educational and outreach foundation to get the organ bought, and built including installing the expanded console, replacing and increasing the pipes, and coordinating the ongoing fundraising and outreach to build awareness of theater organs.[1] Hegarty noted the Bay Area already has "more world-class theater organs than any area in the country."[6] Once the installation is complete CODA hopes to; have students intern and practice playing the large instrument, set up tours and special events, and act as an attraction for people who seek out the music of the large pipe organs including concert organists.[1] The initial fundraising efforts have been budgeted at $1 million US dollars.[4]
- ^ a b c d e The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Reinvented in Castro Theater: Plans to save iconic organ underway, by Heidi Smith, Castro Courier, November 2013.
- ^ San Francisco Preservation Bulletin No. 9 (PDF), January 2003, archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-15
- ^ a b c "FAQs". CODA/Castro Organ Devotees Association. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Castro organist aims to raise $1 million".
- ^ The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ, in Philadelphia, is the largest operational organ in the world, located within a 7-story court at Macy's Center City (formerly Wanamaker's department store).
- ^ "The Music Man Simplweb- David Hegarty". Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2013-11-04. The Music Man: For 23 1/2 years, he's made Castro Theatre's pipe organ hum, Carol Ness, San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, February 18, 2002.