Robert K. Berta  (RKB4%ERF%EbrFacErf@bangate.pge.com)
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I am 47 years old.  I started playing accordion at 9 years of age and
organ at 10.  I played on television in its early days starting at the
age of 11.  This was primarily on accordion but also occasionally on
electronic organ (Conn).  I was raised in Eureka, California and moved
to San Francisco in 1967.
 
During high school and college I worked for the Conn Organ Company
putting on concerts and demos in the Northern California area.  Some of
the organists I worked with were contract organists for Conn.  Don
Baker, Don Kingston, Richard Ellsasser were a few names.  I am mostly
interested in classical and theatre music styles but I also play just
about every style of music there is.
 
I enjoy both electronic and pipe organs.  I am also very much into
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) music both on keyboards and
on MIDI accordions.  Currently my main interest is in MIDI accordion.  I
am also the vice-president of the Bay Area Accordion Club (400 members)
and will be the president in a couple of months.
 
I find a very large number of organists are now or were previously
accordionists.  Many of the qualities of organs are shared with the
accordion and the latest MIDI accordions are very much an adaptation of
the principles of the organ, namely the ability to vary the sound to
complement the musical selection.
 
Of the various types of organ I enjoy the theatre organ the most
although I relish the sound of an excellent classical organ and
musician.  I have played a couple of Wurlitzer theatre organs in the
Pipe and Pizza chain in the bay area.  I also was involved with the new
organs that were installed in Holy Name parish in San Francisco and Our
Lady of Mercy in Daly City.
 
With a 4 bedroom house I am prevented from owning a pipe organ but do
have a Hammond Regency theatre organ that has been completely restored
along with the on board Leslie speakers and remote large Leslie speaker
cabinet.
 
My wife is a semi retired concert pianist (new baby) who came here from
Michigan.  We enjoy family musical nights with the piano, organ,
daughters flute, son's classical guitar and MIDI or acoustical
accordion.
 
In my 47 years I have seen the accordion lose its popularity and fall
into disuse (even disrepute).  Now it has seen a major rebirth and is a
VERY popular instrument in all forms of music.  Unfortunately, it
appears that the organ is going through a down trend also.  While the
pipe organs are still popular, the electronic organs that allow the
musicians of tomorrow to learn are a disappearing breed.  Gone are all
the giants of the past:  Hammond, Lowry, Conn, Thomas are replaced by
cheap keyboard/organs that have none of the quality of sound of the old
organs.  Hopefully we will see a return of the organs to the place of
their former glory.