THOMASTON — Landmark Community Theater 2015 season final spotlight volunteer Juan Cardona Jr, a renowned theater organist who has played in numerous venues across the county, was honored recently with a special award from Thomaston Opera House. A Volunteer Spotlight Reception to celebrate his many years of talented service was held at the opera house on November 27.

Nearly 25 years have passed since Mr Cardona, who lives in Newtown, played his first concert at the historic Thomaston Opera House during the 1990s. In the years that followed, prior to the establishment of Landmark Community Theater (LCT), Mr Cardona entertained audiences playing the organ before several shows.

Since the beginning of LCT, Mr Cardona has volunteered “innumerable hours,” LCT Board of Trustees Chair Gary Kingsbury said via press release prior to the event, “bringing the sounds of live theater organ to theater patrons.

“Many refer to the resident 1926 Marr-Colton Theater Pipe Organ as a gem,” said Mr Kingsbury. “Mr Cardona is a master jeweler, turning that gem into a masterpiece by coaxing its beauty out through masterful handling and a musical imagination second to none.

“Each show night, Mr Cardona begins to play as the doors to the auditorium open. At first, his careful selections begin to set the mood. As show time draws near, the music increases the audience’s excitement and anticipation. His set closes with a powerful ending, leaving the patrons anticipating more great entertainment.

“When Mr Cardona makes announcements, the audience is primed, much like Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band readied audiences for years for Johnny Carson.

“Theater organ is a tradition at Landmark Community Theater, and Mr Cardona is charged with maintaining and growing that tradition as he shares his music across generations,” Mr Kingsbury said. He added that “while Landmark has many valuable volunteers, it is difficult to imagine our ORGANization without Juan. His contribution is unique, and as such, it is irreplaceable.”

The volunteer award was launched earlier this year. An award was given to someone on opening night of each show at the opera house. Mr Cardona’s reception coincided with an opening night cocktail party for The 1940s Radio Hour.

On November 27, Juan Cardona was joined by many friends he has made through his position at the opera house, his best friend from college (“She and I were the two organ students together at UConn,” said Mr Cardona) and her husband, and many of his Newtown neighbors.

“Many members of the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society were in attendance as well, as my volunteer time not was only for the Landmark Community Theatre but it was also to the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society,” Mr Cardona said this week. CVTOS owns and maintains the organ in Thomaston. Mr Cardona, therefore, services two non-profit organizations at once when performing at Thomaston Opera House.

John Vanderlee, the organ crew chief from Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., also attended, and offered remarks. Mr Cardona is House Theatre Organist at the Poughkeepsie theater.

The reception included the screening of a video created by Emily Verdisci, who has done video interviews with each of the award recipients this year.

“She did short video about both the organ and myself,” Mr Cardona told The Newtown Bee. “I took her up into the chambers so she could video all the pipe work and percussions that are all installed in the building. Many people do not know what is up there, so it was a chance for them to see.

“Then she had me talk about my career highlights leading up to this evening and the 23 years that I have been a volunteer,” he added.

When the video screening was completed Thomaston Opera House Executive Director Jeff Dunn made a short speech and presented Mr Cardona with a plaque that honored Mr Cardona “in grateful appreciation for the many years of volunteer service & support of the Landmark Community Theatre.”

The celebration ended around 7:45, when Mr Cardona had to do some work.

“They asked me to play a couple pieces of music on the organ for the patrons that were now also entering for the show that evening,” he said.