Eisenhardt Wurlitzer
As plans for the new facility evolved, RTOS member Don Hall, the first Director of the RMSCs state-of-the-art Strasenburgh Planetarium realized that the new Eisenhart Auditorium would be an ideal home for a theatre organ. Coincidentally, in the early 1970s several RTOS members had purchased Wurlitzer Opus 1492, a 3-manual 8-rank ‘special’, originally installed in 1926 in the Capitol Theatre, Worcester, MA. Brought to Rochester, it languished in storage for several years. Don approached the RMSC and RTOS with his idea. All parties agreed and RTOS bought the organ.
Then, following a complete refurbishing by volunteers RTOS donated it to the RMSC and installed it in the building. The organ debuted during Columbus Day weekend of 1978.
It is now increased to 12 ranks with the addition of two ranks of strings and a 16’ Quintadena from the former Eastman Theatre Austin and the Vox Humana from Wurlitzer Opus 44, plus piano. The pipework was reregulated in the mid-1990s by Clark Wilson and Brant Duddy to make the most of the Eisenhart’s acoustics. The resulting sound is that of a nicely voiced mid-sized studio instrument.
It is now increased to 12 ranks with the addition of two ranks of strings and a 16’ Quintadena from the former Eastman Theatre Austin and the Vox Humana from Wurlitzer Opus 44, plus piano. The pipework was reregulated in the mid-1990s by Clark Wilson and Brant Duddy to make the most of the Eisenhart’s acoustics. The resulting sound is that of a nicely voiced mid-sized studio instrument.
In the winter of 2025-2026, a Z-Tronics combination and MIDI interface were added to the previously installed Z-Tronics relay system.
The organ is used on a regular basis for open console sessions for RTOS members, silent film festivals and other community and social events. For two seasons in the late 1990s, all RTOS concerts were held at the Eisenhart while the console of the 4/23 was being refurbished. RTOS is pleased to welcome the YTOC to what is often referred to as “The RTOS Living Room”.
RMSC Eisenhart Auditorium, Rochester, NY (1978)
Wurlitzer Opus 1492 (1928)
3 manuals/12 ranks
MAIN CHAMBER (Audience Left)
| 16’ Flute / Bourdon | 97 pipes |
| 16’ 8’ Viol Celeste*** | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Viol Celeste*** | 73 pipes |
| 16’ Diaphonic Diapason | 73 pipes |
| Chrysoglott | 49 notes |
SOLO CHAMBER (Audience Right)
| 16’ Quintadena | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Violin**** | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Violin Celeste (TC)**** | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Tibia Clausa | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Clarinet** | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Trumpet | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Vox Humana | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Krumet | 61 pipes |
| Glockenspiel/Bells | 30 notes |
| Chimes | 25 notes |
| Piano* (Unenclosed) | 85 notes |
| Xylophone | 37 notes |
| Toy Counter/Effects | |
| Z-Tronics relay/combination system |
Click on button to the right for detailed specifications for the instrument.