HISTORY OF OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL
Old Town Music Hall began in the 1960s when two musicians, Bill Coffman and Bill Field, purchased the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ from the Fox West Theater in Long Beach, CA, and installed it in the quaint El Segundo State Theater, originally built in 1921.
The "Two Bills" opened their doors in 1968, and Old Town Music Hall continues to entertain audiences with classic films, as well as ragtime, jazz and pipe organ concerts. All silent feature films are accompanied live by the Mighty Wurlitzer, just as they were when originally released.
The Mighty Wurlitzer consists of more than 2,600 pipes. The organ console has four keyboards, 260 switches, and an array of controls and pedals. From the console, the organist controls the pipes and many percussive instruments, such as a xylophone, marimba, piano, drums, and cymbals. The entire system is air-powered from a 10-horsepower Spencer Turbine Orgoblo. This powerful source of wind pressure runs the entire mechanical system and also plays the pipes. Needless to say, the organ requires constant maintenance.
On stage with the organ console is a spectacular 9-foot concert grand piano. The 92-note Bösendorfer was hand made in Vienna for Old Town Music Hall in 1974. The Bösendorfer company has been making pianos since 1828, and is one of the fines pianos made.
Old Town Music Hall is a treasured cultural landmark. It is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies upon continued support from its patrons and friends. Programs at the Music Hall not only preserve cultural heritage, they provide unique entertainment and good old-fashioned American family fun.
