Vincennes
University
Wurlitzer Theater Organ
3 Manuals, 12 Ranks
George R. Smith playing the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at Vincennes
University.*
Excerpts from an article by David
Goodnow in VincennesVoice.com*
George Smith was on campus at Vincennes University many times playing
an organ or piano for various events. These included his accompaniment
during the many performances, over a two year span, of the “Alice Of
Old Vincennes” play in the middle 1960's. He played the VU Wurlitzer
theater organ for numerous popular dances at the Green Activities
Center. This was one of his favorite things to do and he often
recounted how the big theater pipe organ, with all its special effects,
would bring couples to the dance floor for show tunes, big band hits
and old standards.
When the Wurlitzer was installed by George and the late gifted musician
Richard Ertel in the 1960s, the intricate setup gave new meaning to
“extensive,” as the special effects included, literally, many bells and
whistles. George's description of that project was fascinating.
In addition to his other pursuits, he taught pipe organ performance and
the particular techniques required to play the massive instruments. His
students continued on to successful careers in and near music, having
been tutored by one whose virtuoso performances were guides for all
interested in fine musical
literature.