CRTOS is dedicated to theatre organ preservation and promotion of this uniquely American instrument. We sponsor theatre organ concerts, silent films screenings, music workshops and theatre organ restoration projects in Oregon and Southern Washington.
Upcoming Shows
- March 14th, 2026 – 10:00am & 2:00pm
Last Chance to Play and Hear the Cleveland High School Kimball Pipe Organ
Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Private CRTOS Open Console 10am-12pm
Public Short Convert 2pmCleveland High School
3400 SE 26th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97202Those of you Portlanders who remember the Portland Organ Grinder restaurant will want to see and hear this event. This marks the last public performance on this instrument before it’s removal.
Portland’s own Jonas Nordwall and young organist Sawyer Best will show off this great instrument.
10am-12pm
Private open console session for Columbia River Theatre Organ Society members.
2pm
FREE public concert with Jonas Nordwall and special guest Sawyer Best
The Kimball pipe organ at Cleveland High school will be removed and stored on spring break this year 2026. Portland Public schools owns the organ and is covering the cost of removal and storage. There are currently no solid plans for its re-installation.
- March 28th, 2026 – 2:00pm
The Cameraman (1928)
Saturday, March 28th, 2026 – 2:00pm
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 North East Sandy Portland, OR 97212Hollywood organist Dean Lemire will be performing his original score live on the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.
Buster Keaton at his absolute best! The Cameraman is a brilliant, laugh-out-loud silent comedy full of jaw-dropping stunts, impeccable visual gags, and Keaton’s legendary deadpan charm.
At the peak of his career, this was the last film “the great stoneface” would ever have complete artistic control over again.
After becoming infatuated with a pretty office worker for MGM Newsreels, Buster trades in his tintype operation for a movie camera and sets out to impress the girl (and MGM) with his work. It’s pure comedy perfection from one of cinema’s greatest.
We will also be screening a rare silent short.
Come and experience this masterpiece the way it was meant to be seen and “heard”…on our giant screen and 30 ton Wurlitzer theatre organ! Only at the Hollywood Theatre!
Reviews:
“The Cameraman is timeless. It stands as a testament to Buster Keaton’s Genius.”
Roger EbertRotten Tomatoes: Rated 100% TomatoMeter / 93% Popcorn Meter (2,500+ reviews)
Director: Directed by: Buster Keaton and Edward Sedgwick
Run time: 90 mins
Format: DigitalPurchase Tickets at: The Hollywood Theatre
Pipe Organ Pictures Series
Each of these films presented as they were meant to be experienced – with live organ accompaniment! Every film in this series is complemented by an original score, created and performed live by a professional musician.
The Hollywood organ is dedicated to the memory of Beverly Ruth Nelson and is the result of a partnership between the Hollywood Theatre and the nonprofit Columbia River Theatre Organ Society. It is the only such instrument in a public theatre in Portland.
Tickets are $12.00 at the door of the Hollywood Theatre.
About Our Instruments
The Hollywood Theatre
While previous events at the Hollywood have featured live organ accompaniment, the organ sound itself was digital, powered by large speakers backstage. Now, the sound will once again come from real pipes. The Columbia River Theatre Organ Society has spent thousands of volunteer hours meticulously refurbishing the theater organ, tracking down vintage organ parts and pipes, restoring the original Hollywood organ chamber, and installing electrical lines, wind lines, and a mammoth 15hp organ blower in the basement. Ours is the only pipe organ in a public theatre in Portland.
The Hollywood is located at: 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212, two blocks from the Hollywood MAX station.
Donations for the ongoing maintenance and expansion of this instrument can be made using the Donate button below.
Cleveland High School
The Kimball pipe organ in the 1100 seat auditorium is maintained by CRTOS. The core of the instrument was originally from the Columbia theater in Longview, Washington. In 1936, it was moved to Benson high school in Portland where it resided until it was moved to Cleveland in 1990. The organ was enlarged and improved there and is one of the best sounding organs of its type in the Pacific northwest.
Disaster struck in 2016 when a steam pipe burst and over one half of the pipe wind chests and other wood components in the north (main) chamber were damaged beyond repair. The damaged items have been temporarily substituted with digital equivalents. Restoring the instrument to its original sound will cost thousands of dollars. If you would like to assist with this project, please make a tax deductible donation to the Columbia River Theatre Organ Society.
Cleveland High School is located at: 3400 SE 26th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
Donations for the maintenance and repair of this instrument can be made using the Donate button below.
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