Mighty
Wurlitzer
Theater
Organ
The 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ is an impressive icon of Grand Rapids and an artifact preserved in the GRPM’s Collections used to entertain and educate all ages through the annual concert series and year-long programming.
Upcoming Organ Concerts
Classics and Hits with Donnie Rankin
Join us for another Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ concert with Donnie Rankin from Ravenna, Ohio. This performance will blend classics with modern hits for an unforgettable music experience. This concert will also mark the triumphant return of the November concert for the first time since 2021!
When: Friday, November 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 22, at 2 p.m.
Where: The Meijer Theater at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Tickets: $20, $16 for GRPM members
Donnie Rankin first took an interest in the theatre organ at the tender age of three when he first heard the sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer at the Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. Following that initial introduction to the King of Instruments, he frequently played on his great-grandfather’s home organ.
In 2000 Donnie acquired an instrument and began taking formal lessons. Classical piano training followed in 2005, and his budding talent quickly blossomed into first rate musicianship.
Since then, Donnie has won several organ competitions and awards, including being named the Overall Winner of the American Theatre Organ Society’s Young Theatre Organist Competition in 2007.
Donnie began studying with noted organist Jelani Eddington in September 2007. Since that time, Donnie has performed for theatre organ audiences around the world. He resides in Ravenna, Ohio, and is a staff organist at the Civic Theatre in nearby Akron – the very same organ Donnie first heard when he was three years old.
Holiday Classics with David Wickerham
Deck the halls this season by enjoying cheerful holiday songs on the GRPM’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ and classics such as Jingle Bells, Silent Night, The First Noel, and more with iconic organist Dave Wickerham.
When: Friday, December 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 20 at 2 p.m.
Where: The Meijer Theater at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Tickets: $20, $16 for GRPM members
Dave Wickerham was born in Encino, California in 1962. He began playing the electronic organ at the age of four and had his first pipe organ experience at age ten. His musical education started at age seven.
When he moved to Arizona in 1976, he became Associate Organist at the famous Organ Stop Pizza Restaurants in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson. While in Arizona, he continued his musical studies with Roseamond Crowley, one of the few remaining descendants of the Louis Vierne line of organists. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson on a full scholarship, pursuing classical organ studies for six years with Dr. Roy Johnson.
In 1984, Dave moved to the Chicago area to become Staff Organist at Pipes and Pizza in Lansing, Illinois. In addition to his performance there, he concertized frequently, as well as ministering musically and serving at various churches. August of 1990 found the Wickerham family moving to Wisconsin, where he was one of the featured Staff Organists at the Piper Music Palace in Greenfield, a position he held for 10 years.
In the spring of 2000, Dave ushered in the new millennium with a limited special engagement, as a featured organist at “Roxy’s Pipe Organ Pizzeria,” part of a $26,000,000 expansion phase at the FIESTA Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wickerhams spent two years there before returning back home to Wisconsin in August of 2001. For the next three years, Dave resumed his position at the Piper Music Palace and was also the Principal Organist at Williams Bay Lutheran Church in Lake Geneva, WI.
He enjoys concertizing frequently to many audiences including various chapters of the American Theatre Organ Society. In April of 1999, he took great pleasure being a feature artist in Melbourne, Australia for the convention of the Theatre Organ Society of Australia for which he received rave reviews. He returned “Down Under” for a six-week concert tour in Australia and New Zealand during the summer of 2003 and 2012, as well as October/November of 2015.
Dave also enjoys recording and has recently “sold out” his fourth CD “Sounds of Music” recorded on the famous 5 Manual, 80 Rank Theatre Organ at the Sanfilippo Residence in Barrington, IL. There are several NEW recording projects that are soon to be completed and released.
After seven years as Organist-Curator with the legendary Milhous Collection in South Florida, Dave and his family currently enjoy living in Upper Michigan in the historic town of Crystal Falls.
History of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ.
The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organs were the most famous musical instrument built by Wurlitzer. On February 9, 1928, out of North Tonawanda, New York, the Wurlitzer Company manufactured and shipped the Opus #1836, a “3 manual special,” to the Stanley Theater of Jersey City, New Jersey. This Mighty Wurlitzer Organ spent two decades entertaining customers at the Roaring 20’s Pizza Parlor on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, before it was moved to its current location at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Hear Melodies on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ!
Volunteer organists demonstrate the Wurlitzer most Monday and Thursday afternoons. Times may vary. We recommend inquiring before your visit to ensure our organist is scheduled for the day you intend to visit. During these times the doors of the Meijer Theater are open for visitors to stop, sit, and enjoy! These demonstrations are included with general admission.
