The Theatre Organ: A Study of a Unique Performance Practice and Musical Culture in the Twenty-First Century

This dissertation undertakes an exhaustive examination of the theatre organ, focusing on the comprehensive scope of its performance aspects. The inquiry commences with an historical overview of silent film accompaniment in the initial chapter, thereby providing a foundational context for the instrument's inception and its integral role within the early cinematic experience. The second chapter delineates the evolution of the theatre organ, commencing with Robert Hope-Jones's seminal innovations. This section scrutinizes how Hope-Jones's contributions were instrumental for the Wurlitzer company in designing and proliferating the theatre organ, emphasizing the significance of the "unit organ" construction in augmenting the organ's adaptability and efficacy in theatrical environments. Progressing to the subsequent chapter, the analysis turns to the Library of Congress's significant collection of music published expressly for silent film accompaniment. This investigation is divided into three distinct classification fo material: pedagogical texts, printed sheet music intended for silent film accompaniment, and cue sheets distributed by film production companies to assist in the musical accompaniment for specific films. These categories reveal the nuanced interplay between musical accompaniment and narrative storytelling in silent cinema. The Concluding chapter delves into the practice of theatre organ performance itself, exploring its myriad constituents. This includes an intricate examination of the theatre organ as an unparalleled musical instrument, the competencies and functions of the theatre organist, the established repertory or canon unique to theatre organ performance, and the specific audience demographic these performances endeavor to engage. Through this comprehensive dissection, the dissertation seeks to elucidate the complex legacy and ongoing evolution of theatre organ performance, accentuating its historical and contemporary cultural relevance.