Make Music Day - Free Organ Concert

Sunday, June 21 at 4:00 PM | Main Auditorium
Free and open to the public

In support of the Ann Arbor District Libraries Make Music Day, the Michigan Theater is proud to present a FREE organ concert performed on the historic Barton Organ!

The Barton Organ is one of only 20 remaining in the United States, and one of only 7 that are still in daily use. This icon of the Michigan Theater has been preserved and maintained by The Michigan Theater Foundation as well as the Motor City Organ Society. Please come out and enjoy a historic and one-of-a-kind performance!

Our Organist for this performance will be Bill Coale, or Dr, William Coale. Dr. William Coale, author of the critically acclaimed 3 volume biography of legendary theatre organist George Wright holds two degrees in music, and spent decades teaching and performing, as well as conducting concert bands and choirs for special events and musical theatre productions. Elected to his local school board at age 18 (five days after graduating high school), he spent 37 years in various educational roles: teacher, principal, technology director, human resources director, superintendent, university professor, and educational consultant.

Bill joined the staff of Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater upon his return to Michigan in 2023. He enjoys playing and restoring theatre pipe organs, technology, reading, research, education, public policy, and politics. He loves domestic and international travel, reaching “million-miler” status. He has constructed a large building on his property in Holly that will eventually become a theatre organ museum and performance space, housing a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ that he is restoring. You can visit some of Bill’s research and recordings at www.GeniusOfGeorgeWright.com.