Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-05-07

opment of organ playing in the mo-
ton picture theater and he is cOnced-
ed to be the first professional organ
list and teacher to take up this branch
of the work Mr.. Van Dusen quietly
investigated this new field and soon
learned there was big demand for
theater organists and in an incred-
IDLY short time had a large class of
students. He taught them not only the
theory which they would need, but
made it a point to attend movie the
aters in which his pupils were play
ing, study their method of interpret
ing both the music and the picture,
then help them to attain more artis-
tic results. Soon there was such de-
mand for organists trained by him
that the American Conservatory es-
tablished a department or School Of
Theater Organ Playing with a regu-
lar course of study and training
which eQuips pupils thOroly for a po-
sition as organist in a movie theater.
Of course, Mr.. Van DuSen was ap-
pointed head of this department and
also was given corps OF able as
sistants, almost all of whom had
been trained by him. The growth of
the school was SO rapid Mr.. Van Dus-
en- realized the goal he set could only
be achieved by having a theater,
screen, organ and complete prOjec-
ton outfit. This need was supplied by
the conservatory thru making ar
rangements for the joint use of the
school and the FulcO Sales Company
of the model theater just short dis
lance from the conservatory. The lit
tie theater is complete in every de-
tail and the Kimball organ is eQuipp-
ed with the usual accessories OF the
modern organ with the minimum OF
traps. Teaching began under these
ideal arrangements in May of 1928,
under the direct supervision of Frank
Van Dusen, and every facility is CIV
en- students to develop their interpre-
tative powers, their ability to 1mprO-
wise and to further fit themselves to
be able to creditably fill positions in
the larger motion picture theaters.
Last summer there were eighteen or
ganists graduated from the organ de-
partment-siX pOst-graduates were
presented in public recitals in KIM
ball Hall, Chicago-all Of whom re-
ceived Mus. Bac. degrees -four who
had just completed the full course OF
training and eight who received teach
er's certificates. Among the organists
who received their training at the
school under Mr.. Van Dusen and his
assistants are M. Duke, of La Crosse,
Wis, who has several times been
chosen to open new auditOriumS and
theaters where large organs have
been installed and who now is a fea-
tured player at the Majestic Theater
in Shamokin, Pa; Edward Eigen-
schenk, who is now first assistant to
Mr.. Van Dusen; Paul d. Esterly, who
has held many positions of much I'M
pOrtance in theaters in Pennsylvania
and we'll known in the concert world
before becoming a theater Organist;
EthWell Hanson, who played in Ch1ca-
go theaters for several years and al
so was demonstration for the Bartell
Organ Company, and who is COM
poser of songs that are used by lead
ing concert artists; Helen Searlesb
who has a big reputation both as a
church and theater Organist; Mrs.
Gertrude Baily, Emily Roberts, Earl
Blades and many, many others
The tireless and well directed eff
| fort of Frank Van Dusen in the in
terest of theater organ playing has
resulted in a degree of success which
is impossible of measurement. Due to
his vision and a firm belief that a
wide opportunity awaited the organ
list in this field he builded well and
with the cooperation accorded him
by the American Conservatory of Mu-
sic he has been an important factor
in revising opinion as to the place OF
the organist and organ music in the
program of the movie theater and in
the music world as we'll. In every sec
ton of the country movie audiences
are being helped to better apprec1-
alton of the best to be had in music
thru the medium of the organ pro-
grams which are presented by men
and women who received their train
ing from Frank Van Dusen. More
power to him in his good work.