As of 2004, Ron Rhode has enjoyed a thirty-year career as a theatre organist. He
has received "Top Rating 10/10"from CD Review Magazine on two of
his recordings and was awarded Theatre Organist of The Year 1989 by the
American Theatre Organ Society. He has played virtually every major theatre
organ installation in the world, and remains one of the leading concert
artists.
Ron is native of Illinois, where he began his musical career on the piano. He
quickly advanced to classical pipe organ, and in 1968 held his first job on
theatre pipe organ playing for roller skating. In 1973, Ron moved to Phoenix,
Arizona, to start a long association with the Organ Stop Pizza restaurants. In
1975 Ron moved to the Mesa location where he held the Featured Organist post
and played for pizza patrons until November, 1986. In July, 1988, Ron again
joined the staff as Associate Organist until his retirement in 2000. He has
been the featured organist for the Orpheum Theatre (Phoenix,AZ), Silent Sundays
series, a silent movie series, since its inception in May, 1999.
Ron holds a Masters of Elementary Education and is Media Specialist at Roosevelt
Elementary in Mesa, Arizona. In addition to teaching, Ron is organist and
rehearsal accompanist at The Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, AZ.
Although Ron is held to the classroom through the week, he still finds time to
maintain an active concert and recording career. He continues to perform
professionally across the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. He is
a favorite of the American Theatre Organ Society Conventions and Regionals. He
has more than twenty recordings to his credit.
For information on Ron's recordings and up-coming concerts please vistRon's website.