Author: Bernie Anderson

GSTOS RECEIVES ATOS AWARD

Posted on by Bernie Anderson

At the Annual American Theatre Organ Society Convention that was held in the Rochester area in July, there were awards presented for assorted achievements in its efforts to preserve and present the incredible instrument that we know as the unit orchestra, as Robert Hope-Jones called it. For, in fact, we had a week of hearing orchestral music produced from pipes, percussions, and traps.

GSTOS was awarded a plaque for special achievement in recognition of over 51 years of preserving the instruments and presenting them in concert historically and ongoing. We have presented almost all of the finest performing artists in concert. It is necessary to mention our collection that includes the 4/23 Wonder Morton in Loew’s Jersey Theatre, The 3/10 (and growing) Wurlitzer at BrookArts Theatre, the historic Rainbow Room 3/10 Wurlitzer at Rahway Senior Citizen Center, The 3/16 Moller at Patriot’s Theatre in the Trenton War Memorial, the 3/21 Paramount Wurlitzer that is undergoing restoration, the four manual Hippodrome Wurlitzer/Walker that is awaiting a new home, and the caring for privately owned instruments for the listening pleasure of members.

The award was received by Michael Cipolletti, current VP and program chair who accepted it, noting it is a tribute to all members who have given time and effort to making this a vibrant Chapter. He noted that the plaque was significant because it is a public ‘thank you’ for the tireless work that we have done and continue to do in upholding our mission.

Bernie McGorrey at Rahway Seniors Center – First Thursday Concerts – September 3rd @ 2pm

Posted on by Bernie Anderson

Rahway Senior Center

First Thursday Concert

Date/Time September 3rd, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Place Rahway Senior Center, 1306 Esterbrook Avenue, Rahway, NJ
Instrument 3/10 Rainbow Room Organ

This is a free concert provided by GSTOS – with Bernie McGorrey

 

Directions: From the south: Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 135 (Clark and Rahway),

stay right and turn onto Brandt Avenue. Follow directions below from *. From the north: Take
the Garden State Parkway to exit 135 (Clark and Rahway), turn left under the Parkway, and exit
at the first right onto Brant Avenue. *Continue on Brant until it ends and turn left at the traffic
light onto Westfield Ave. Follow Westfield for three traffic lights. (The road changes name at St.
Georges Ave. to West Grand Ave.) At the third light, turn right onto Irving Street. Go two blocks
and turn right onto Central Avenue. (You will see the Union County Arts Center on the left
corner as you turn.) Go two blocks on Central and turn left onto Esterbrook, The Senior Center is
two blocks ahead on your right. Park in the free lot behind the center, or on the street.

Candi Carly-Roth at Rahway Senior Center – Rainbow Room Wurlitzer – Aug 6th @ 1pm

Posted on by Bernie Anderson

GSTOS is proud to present once again, Candi Carly-Roth  at the Rainbow Room console on Aug 6th at 1pm.

A native of the West Coast and blind since birth, Candi Carley-Roth began picking out melodies on the piano at the age of five. She would listen for hours as her brother practiced his piano lessons and then work on duplicating the music. At age seven she began experimenting at a neighbor’s Hammond spinet organ. A circle of friends developed into a home organ club which raised the money for her first organ. As a youngster Candi studied piano with Sylvia Green and Alice Cormier. At age 15 she was a classical piano student of Nella Betinger. She won a scholarship for classical piano from the Braille Institute’s Women’s Auxiliary, and by age 17 was studying classical organ with Richard Purvis, the staff organist at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. In 1973 she appeared on the “Stars of Tomorrow” program at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, and in 1975 began her first job as house organist at Theatre Organ Pizza. For the next seven years she was organist at the Great American Wind Machine Pizza in Receda, California where she made her first recording “Candi”. Subsequent recordings followed: “Just for you”, “Sweet City Woman”, and “Joy”. In 1985 she performed at the national convention of the Theatre Organ Society of Australia, in Sydney. Following her marriage to Mark Roth in 1986, Candi branched out to playing keyboards, and sang for the White Horse Band, a Country and Western group.

Since moving to Pennsylvania in 1990, Candi has concertized at the Magnificent Möller at the Trenton War Memorial and performed at the 1992 ATOS Convention in York Pa. Along with her concert work, she is an accomplished church organist. With the above background, it is no wonder that Candi describes her concerts as being “different”. Her vast repertoire includes Dixieland, Gospel,

Pop, Rock, Hymns, Country & Western, Classical, Broadway Hits, and Old Standards. A natural performer, she is sure to bring the house down.

Directions: From the south: Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 135 (Clark and Rahway), stay right and turn onto Brandt Avenue. Follow directions below from *. From the north: Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 135 (Clark and Rahway), turn left under the Parkway, and exit at the first right onto Brant Avenue. *Continue on Brant until it ends and turn left at the traffic light onto Westfield Ave. Follow Westfield for three traffic lights. (The road changes name at St. Georges Ave. to West Grand Ave.) At the third light, turn right onto Irving Street. Go two blocks and turn right onto Central Avenue. (You will see the Union County Arts Center on the left corner as you turn.) Go two blocks on Central and turn left onto Esterbrook, The Senior Center is two blocks ahead on your right. Park in the free lot behind the center, or on the street.

Concert is free to the public and starts at 1pm.