The Cinema Organ Society

The Cinema Organ Society was founded in 1952 by Hubert Selby and Tony Moss for those interested in organ music as entertainment. The Society is responsible for the preservation, promotion and presentation of some of the finest cinema organs in the UK. 

A 'cinema', or 'theatre'  organ is the name given to the unique group of musical instruments, specifically pipe organs, which were installed in picture houses in the UK and USA throughout the 20s and 30s. Their fundamental purpose was to provide the soundtrack to the silent films and so were designed in such a way that they could imitate an entire orchestra: all the bells and whistles! Their sound is like no other, and very far from the average 'church' organ sound. Unfortunately, many of these instruments did not survive, sharing the same fate of the grand picture palaces. Only a comparative handful can be heard today in the UK, thanks to organisations like the Cinema Organ Society.