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

Buster Keaton’s The Haunted House followed by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

When: Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 18th, 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

What: We’re kicking off the  2025 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ Concert Series by welcoming organist Andrew Rogers from Fenton, MI. This year’s October concerts will feature two silent films. The evening will open up with Buster Keaton’s Haunted House, followed by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, accompanied by the sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Organist Andrew Rogers leaning against an organ

Haunted House tells the story of a bank cashier, wrongly accused of being an accomplice in a hold-up, who flees to an abandoned house where an opera company is performing Faust. It is also the headquarters of the bank-robbing gang, trying to make the house seem haunted.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, an iconic German Expressionist film, takes place at a carnival in Germany. Francis and his friend Alan encounter the crazed Dr. Caligari. The men see Caligari showing off his somnambulist, Cesare, a hypnotized man who the doctor claims can see into the future. Shockingly, Cesare then predicts Alan’s death, and by morning, his chilling prophecy has come true, making Cesare the prime suspect.

Andrew Rogers serves the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor as Head Organist and has performed there for over ten years. Previously, he served on staff at the Detroit Fox. Residing in Fenton, MI, he travels widely, accompanying silent films, lecturing on film scoring, and performing at concerts. He changed his focus entirely to music after leaving behind  two other jobs: 17 years at a travel agency doing back-office accounting and 30 years of serving as an Orthodox priest.    

Andrew’s musical studies began with the accordion- winning local and national competitions – by playing transcriptions of classical orchestral music. He later appeared in the orchestra for productions of the Theater Department at Michigan State University, where he holds his degree with honors in Psychology. 

While working at the Wurlitzer factory store in Dearborn, MI, he sought out the late Fr. James Miller. He studied theater organ techniques with Fr. Jim and accompanied him on his second tour of Australia and Norfolk Island – appearing both in joint concerts and solo engagements.  He furthered his studies with Dr. Marilyn Mason through the Church Organ Studies program.  Scholarships from the University of Michigan enabled him to travel on two Historic Organ Tours led by Dr. Mason, covering France, Italy, and Switzerland– playing 58 instruments and participating in ten public concerts. 

In addition to his theater organ concert and film work, it was in 2003 when Andrew was invited to play meditation music for a local public program for Japan’s Foundation for Global Harmony. The music so transported its founder that he asked Andrew to create three meditation CDs for the Foundation to help raise funds for orphanages, hospitals, vocational schools, etc., for children in SE Asia. It led to trips across the U.S., including  Hawaii, along with five trips to Japan and a trip to Myanmar – performing both in solo events, in duet with a noted Japanese violinist, and performances as keyboardist for The Global Harmony Band.  

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.