Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. (Opus 490, 1921)

Location:

Virginia Theatre
203 W. Park Street
Champaign, IL 61820 US
Organ ID: 49180

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Theatres, Cinemas, Movie Houses
  • The organ has been rebuilt or substantially revised.
  • The organ's condition is good, used occasionally.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Wurlitzer
  • 10 ranks. 754 pipes. 1 divisions. 2 manuals. 59 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Wurlitzer chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 1
  • Stops: 59
  • Position: Console on lift.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Horseshoe style console.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys in horseshoe curves.
  • Combination Action: Computerized/Digital system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on May 07, 2013:

Updated through online information from chris anderson. -- The newly renovated Virginia Theatre held Open House events featuring the Wurlitzer on April 11 and 13, 2013, and the organ was used to open Roger Ebert's Film Festival on April 17, 2013.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 15, 2012:

Updated through online information from chris anderson. -- Opus 490, a 2-manual, 7-rank Style 185, was installed in a single chamber to the (house) right of the stage by Wurlitzer just prior to the theatre's grand opening in December 1921. Wurlitzer returned in 1924 to add an 8' Tibia Clausa, resulting in a Style 185 Special with 620 pipes. A 2' Tibia offset was built for the organ by Douglas Cable & Associates of Long Beach, California in 1998 but not installed until 2011, when John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders of Champaign completely restored the existing organ and console. Buzard also replaced the electropneumatic relay with a Peterson ICS-4000 system and added two Wurlitzer ranks (Orchestral Oboe and English Post Horn). The resulting 754-pipe Style 216 was premiered by Chris Gorsuch as part of the theatre's 90th Anniversary celebration on March 31, 2012. The Virginia Theatre will be closed for renovation through early 2013 and the organ is expected to be back in operation later in the year.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on June 10, 2012:

Updated through online information from Will Dunklin. -- Opus 490 was built as a 7 rank organ. A Tibia Clausa was added a year later, making it 8 ranks.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on December 31, 2011:

Identified through online information from Chris Holman.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Information from over 20 years' close experience as volunteer organ crewmember. Current stop tab list from console photographs t
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

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