The museum hosted a group participating in a Summer Youth Adventure (SYA) for talented young theatre organ enthusiasts/performers and their mentors. It’s a yearly event held in different cities nationally – this year being Portland. It is organized and led by local but nationally renowned organist Jonas Nordwall. The ATOS (American Theatre Organ Society) website describes the Summer Youth Adventure as:

“The Summer Youth Adventure (SYA) is a week-long event designed for young theatre organ enthusiasts who are interested in learning, developing, or refining their skills with the theatre organ. During the week, students will attend a variety of instructional sessions, master classes, and open console time designed to improve their theatre organ knowledge and skills”.

 

Jonas always includes a visit somewhere not related to the theatre organ, and this year it was to the vintageTEK Museum. Of course, in our case there is a significant connection, since founder Howard Vollum was an organ enthusiast and owned a large Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. Jonas and Howard were personal friends and Jonas made at least one recording on Howard's organ. Howard was also the inspiration and  partial financial backer for the Tektronix spin-off of Rodgers Organ Company in 1958.

This group consisted of 8 students and 6 mentors/teachers who all seemed to very much enjoy the experience of our museum and the tours and insights we gave them. One student, currently in college, even owns several Tektronix oscilloscopes and several electronic organs and a pipe organ! It was a very enjoyable evening for all.