INDIANAPOLIS—The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association (ISOA) and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (CICATOS) proudly announce their theatre organ fundraiser, “Remember the Paramount—the Next Generation.”
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. in the Hilbert Circle Theatre, ISOA and CICATOS will present “Remember the Paramount—the Next Generation.” This concert—the third in a series of fundraisers highlighting the capabilities of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Mighty Wurlitzer” theatre organ—will feature Indianapolis theatre organist Justin Stahl and will introduce Pike High School’s Jazz Ensemble. First-generation Paramount Music Palace organist Ken Double will serve as master of ceremonies and may even take a turn at the keyboard.
Featured artist Justin Stahl grew up going to the Paramount Music Palace (PMP) listening and “learning” from the original organists Bill Vlasak, Donna Parker, Ken Double, and Dwight Thomas after discovering a Bill Vlasak/Donna Parker album in his great-grandfather’s record collection and learning that the PMP was on the east side of Indianapolis.
Justin recalls his first and subsequent trips to the PMP, “ I’ll never forget turning the corner of the long hallway. It was perfect timing as the organist was beginning the next set. A low rumble of the bass pipes intoned an experience of music I’ll never forget. The whole building shook. The lights came on, the console started rising, and I became instantly hooked.. . . so began recurring requests to return. Each time, I sat at the closest table to the Mighty Wurlitzer so that I could observe the organist operating this amazing machine. I vowed over and over again that I would learn how to play it someday, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Mr. Stahl, a professional keyboardist and theatre organist who has played the Mighty Wurlitzer for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration for eleven years, will treat us to traditional theatre organ standards, entertain us with a silent film to remind us of the original purpose of the theatre pipe organ/unit orchestra and collaborate with the Pike Jazz Ensemble on arrangements that showcase the organ’s capabilities and highlight the students’ talent.
The Pike High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Aaron Burkhart, is a talented group of musicians who meet as a class every school day and after school rehearsals. Jazz Ensemble 1 is a traditional big band that can also split into different small combos. Jazz 1 participates in festivals, community events, and competitions throughout Indiana. Several Pike Jazz musicians have received outstanding soloist awards at festivals, and several graduates of Pike Jazz are studying music at the collegiate level.
Justin’s solo performance will include a tribute to the Sherman brothers with music from Mary Poppins and other popular Disney fare, Dave Brubeck’s “It’s a Raggy Waltz,” and his signature arrangement of “AFRICA.”
As our program concludes, the Pike Jazz Ensemble will join Justin on stage to delight us with renditions of the “Cantina Theme” from Star Wars, Glen Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade,” and Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.”
Proceeds from “Remember the Paramount—the Next Generation” will support ISOA’s Side-by-Side educational program that offers high school students an opportunity to perform side-by-side with ISO counterparts during a featured concert. CICATOS proceeds will help fund the continued superb functioning and upkeep of the ISO’s Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
The performance begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2024. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office.
About Justin Stahl
Justin Stahl is a native of Beech Grove, Ind. Beginning at age five with the encouragement of his great-grandfather, Justin was mostly self-taught in piano and organ. His passion for music has reached many venues, including accompanying for several choral departments, directing church music, playing for community theatre, and serving for over twenty-one years in the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band. Justin has entertained thousands of patrons of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the last eleven productions of their annual AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, playing the 3/24 Wurlitzer installed at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Theatre organ has always been a passion of Justin’s and has taken him to performance venues across the U.S. and Australia.
A Marian University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in piano performance, Justin serves as a choral director for Pike High School in Indianapolis. His approach and philosophy include continuing to promote the theatre organ by using a wide range of musical genres.
