George and Ned represented Allen until their retirement in 1983. In August of 1983, ownership of the company changed to only the second owner (Jim and Sarah Ingram) in the company’s history.
The Atlanta based company’s sales and service area grew to encompass Chattanooga, Tennessee, opening an operation there in 1985 and Augusta, Georgia in 1989. The success of the company has placed it among the top Allen dealerships worldwide. The Allen Organ Company has recognized the accomplishments of this company with awards that includes the prestigious Jerome Markowitz Award, two-time recipient of the President’s Award, the first winner of the Four Star Award and countless product goal awards. The company remains strong in sales of all Allen products with emphasis on the design and sales of combination pipe/digital instruments.
In January 2010, Jeff Ayers became the President and CEO of Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta, Inc. After 23 years of service to designing Allen Organ installations and working with customers, in Georgia and Tennessee, it was a logical transition.
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The Original 'A' Team
From Left to Right
Bob Van Camp
Oscar Watts
Jeff Ayers
Jim Ingram
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Our Customers are very special to us. We make friends for life! Organists and Music Directors often serve more than one congregation, and it is an honor to have them recommend a second (and sometimes three or more) Allen organs based on their past experiences with our company and Allen products.
Large Religious Conventions are often held in Atlanta and surrounding cities with Allen organs on stage for the events. Allen is the most accepted digital organ in the world. We are proud to have been part of the Atlanta Symphony concert seasons for over 25 years. We provide various size instruments to meet their musical requirements to include many Telarc recordings made by the ASO. Because our company stocks large Allen instruments, we also support neighboring Symphonies in Alabama and South Carolina, college and high school performance needs and many local graduation ceremonies. It is exciting to promote the organ in such a public way and a honor to be the organ of choice for all of these organizations.
Jim and Sarah Ingram accepting the President's Award from the American Theatre Organ Society Atlanta Chapter
While churches have long been our largest body of customers, we build many 'home' organs. It has been our pleasure to support the largest (and the best!) ATOS chapter in the US. The American Theatre Organ Society Atlanta chapter promotes organ in all facets of music. Their monthly concerts bring the brightest and best theatre organist from around the world to Atlanta often playing Allen organs. There are many theatre organs installed in homes. Atlanta has a wealth of three and four manual Allen theatre organs played regularly along with the newest five-manual Allen installed in the Petway residence. Ever been to a silent movie? While that can perhaps 'date' you, there continues a revival of the silent movie with extreme interest from the younger generations. Not only is this something new, but premiers the theatre organ to many young musicians who view this massive musical instrument as all-powerful, colorful, and lots of fun. We are honored to have supported this organization and its Atlanta members in many concerts over the years. We are humbled to have received the special President's Award presented for service to their organization and the community by our Atlanta Chapter of ATOS.
Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta
Allen Organ originated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Building organs since 1939, their first instruments were custom built and all sales handled factory direct. By the 1950’s their business had grown and the basis of their dealer organization was born with Atlanta hosting one of the first Allen organ showrooms in Rich’s department store. Rich’s sold and installed Allen products until Allen Organ Studios was chartered in 1958. George McKenzie, a retired Naval Commander and Georgia Tech Grad, opened his first store on Peachtree Street and was soon joined by Ned Marshall from Boston, MA. The store moved to a new location on Piedmont road in the 1970’s. (Shown at left)
