Red River Theatre Organ Society raising funds to repair Mighty Wurlitzer Organ

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — For nearly 99 years, the Mighty Wurlitzer organ has brought Fargo audiences music and sounds for movies. But with its age comes a need for repairs.

“We’re currently trying to fundraise around $500,000, which is quite a large number for what seems to just be a pipe organ that we already take care of. Some of the biggest things are that many of these ranks need to be shipped off, fully torn apart, desoldered, rebuilt, and restored to their original condition. As a lot of them are dirty, certain pieces are bent or broken,” said Alex Moe, President of The Red River Theatre Organ Society and House Organist and Curator at Fargo Theatre.

The Red River Theatre Organ Society was founded in 1965. The society had begun playing the Wurlitzer organ in the Fargo Theatre in 1973. And today there are only four in-house organists who can play the organ.

“It’s a whole lot but when you break it all down it does get easier to understand that it’s still not intimidating to look at and play, somewhat. It’s digestible at least,” said Dylan Thiele, Vice President of The Red River Theatre Organ Society and House Organist and Curator at Fargo Theatre.

Compared to other organs, this instrument is unique with its four sets of keyboards and more keys to press. The original organ that was in the Fargo Theatre had two sets of keyboards and seven sets of pipes. The current organ was put together fully in 1999.

“Our local non-profit, The Red River Theatre Organ Society, we fund and actually maintain the organ all on our own. And back in the day, the Fargo Theatre was slated to be torn down and flattened out into a parking lot. And the Red River Theatre Organ Society at the time was approached and took over the lease and with a great big fundraiser campaign, they helped save the Fargo Theatre. We’re so grateful for that, but also still that the Fargo Theatre now, with the management corporation, still lets us be here,” said Moe.

While the repairs may take a while, the society hopes that this organ will last for another hundred years.

The Red River Theatre Organ Society will also be hosting its first-ever Mighty Wurlitzer Gala on November 8th.