Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society

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Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society Preserving a truly unique American Instrument from the Silent Movie Era.

CVTOS, founded in 1961 as a non-profit organization, is the Connecticut chapter of ATOS, the American Theatre Organ Society, a nationwide organization also committed to the perpetuation of this "King of Instruments" as an important musical medium.

To all of our wonderful friends and guests at the 100th anniversary of the Marr and Colton organ:For those of us who pla...
08/08/2026

To all of our wonderful friends and guests at the 100th anniversary of the Marr and Colton organ:
For those of us who planned this historical and memorable event, you never quite know how it will be received. To see the Opera House was nearly full was so gratifying, thank you all for that support. We are sincerely grateful to you all!
We've also seen spectacular support for our fundraising effort to benefit the pipe organ. Donations at the event, and to date, have topped $2500.00, and we are so grateful for that financial support, which keeps the organ in great shape and in what we deem to be concert-ready condition.
To everyone who donated, thank you so much for your generosity. And if you'd like to support the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society and the Marr and Colton, we welcome whatever you're able to give.
You can visit the CVTOS website: https://cvtos.org/donate
to donate by check or via the CVTOS PayPal account.
We would also like to take a one question poll:
Would you like to see a concert event like this as part of the Landmark Community Theatre’s Concert Series they offer?
With heartfelt thanks,
Juan Cardona, Jr.
Opera House Organist
Thomaston Opera House
Landmark Community Theatre
Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society

In June of 1967, a group of dedicated volunteers cut through the outside walls of a Danbury theatre — and rescued a pipe...
07/02/2026

In June of 1967, a group of dedicated volunteers cut through the outside walls of a Danbury theatre — and rescued a pipe organ for one dollar.
That organ was built in 1926 by the Marr & Colton Organ Company of Warsaw, New York — a magnificent three-manual theatre pipe organ installed at the Palace Theatre in Danbury, Connecticut, where it brought silent films to life for thousands of audiences. When the Palace announced plans to install air conditioning, the organ's fate hung in the balance. Working against the clock, members of the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society sprang into action and saved it.
Today, that same instrument — rescued, restored, and expanded — calls the Thomaston Opera House home. It is now considered one of the finest theatre pipe organs of its size in the country. And this summer, we’re throwing it a birthday party.
🎂 A CENTURY OF SONG
100th Birthday Concert of the Marr & Colton Theatre Pipe Organ
📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Thomaston Opera House · 158 Main Street, Thomaston, CT
Featuring three world-class theatre organists:
🎹 Juan Cardona, Jr. — House Organist, Thomaston Opera House
🎹 Ken Double — Organist, Atlanta Fox Theatre
🎹 Ben Forsthoffer
Plus a special video presentation by Jonathan Ortloff on the organ’s recent tonal finishing and restoration.
🎟️ Admission is FREE — but a ticket is required to attend.
Get your free ticket at: www.landmarkcommunitytheatre.org
(Donations to CVTOS gratefully accepted at checkout 🙏)
(QR Code is listed here to scan and make donations through PayPal)
Co-presented with Landmark Community Theatre. Share this with every theatre organ lover you know! 🎵

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Thomaston, CT

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