An Orchestra At the Tip of Your Fingers & Toes
by Abel Chuma Bustamante

Boom clang-chank, boom-boom clang-chank clang-chank whirrrrrrrr, boom clang-chank boom-boom rat-tat-a-tat-zzzzip honk-honk boom. Though this may sound like an opening ceremony to a sporting event, it is actually the percussion underlying a melodic organ swirling with glee, the one-man orchestra made possible by The Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. Since 1930, the Plaza Theatre has on and off housed a Wurlitzer Balaban III, one of only six models ever built and the only one known to still exist. It was the Wurlitzer that opened the theatre that year, and it appeared to be the same organ that closed the theatre after being sold in 1972. In memory of Karl O. Wyler, who wished for the organ to be once again a part of El Paso, efforts were made by The El Paso Community Foundation to restore and bring the theatre organ back to its original home. That dream became a reality in 2004. “Dedicated to Karl O. Wyler, the theatre organ is called the Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer. The organ was a gift to the people of El Paso, just like the Plaza Theatre,” said Eric Pearson, vice president of the El Paso Community Foundation.

Of the types of theater organs, the Wurlitzer are known for its reeds and special effects, drawing listeners into another, animated dimension with horns of all sizes, twinkling bells, whooping sirens and crashing cymbals. In all, the Wurlitzer can make 22 different instrumental sounds, but of course, the percussion is not alone as a pipe organ leads the way through a friendly series of enchanting and emotionally stirring notes. During the days of silent films, theatre organs like the Wurlitzer were used in place of an orchestra, providing listeners with a formulated, classical and imaginatively resourceful experience. Now, the Wurlitzer is used for all sorts of events; for example, on Jan. 26 and 27, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra will accompany The Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer.