NYMA Moller, Opus 4925, 4 manual 33 rank theatre-concert organ

New York Military Academy is home to an original 1927 magnificent 4 manual 33 rank Moller theatre-concert organ.

The NYMA 4-manual, 31 rank Moller pipe organ, Opus 4925 (enlarged to 33 ranks), was custom built by the M. P. Moller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, and installed in the Academy's Davis Chapel/Auditorium when the chapel was built in 1927.

The organ was dedicated in April 1928 "To Ours Who Served" at its first formal concert played by H. Leroy Baumgartner, who designed the instrument.

The NYMA organ contains more than 2,000 pipes in addition to percussion instruments and special sound effects, and is the second largest theatre pipe organ in New York State, surpassed in size only by the Radio City Music Hall Wurlitzer.

The organ is installed in four chambers: the main chamber to the left of the stage; the swell and solo chambers to the right; and an echo chamber in the ceiling above the balcony.

A Moller Artiste player mechanism was added in 1930, but was unfortunately removed and discarded around 1962.

The organ's designer, H. Leroy Baumgartner, who was organist and music professor at Yale University, described the instrument in the dedication brochure as one which demands all the requisites of a church organ in tonal variety, power and dignity...but will also be used to accompany motion pictures and other forms of entertainment...and must contain all the musical requirements of the modern theatre organ.

His tonal design accomplished its goals and resulted in the wide range of voices found in the NYMA organ that contribute to its beautiful and unique orchestral ensemble.

The NYMA Moller has been in continuous use in its original ... See Moresetting since 1927, providing music for chapel services, school assemblies, commencement exercises and other Academy functions.

During its first decade the organ was used regularly for Sunday afternoon concerts that were broadcast over local radio. In the 1930's, Roxy chief organist Lew White performed annual concerts at NYMA every Mother's Day.

By the mid 1960's, however, the organ had fallen into disrepair. In 1967 two ATOS members, Tom Stehle (now curator of the organ) and John Caruthers coincidentally joined the faculty of the Academy and shortly thereafter began the volunteer project of restoring the organ.

A few years later NYTOS member Bob Seeley joined the crew, and among other contributions, redesigned and rebuilt the console.

Since 1971 the Academy and New York Theatre Organ Society have produced a series of theatre organ pops concerts and silent film presentations. Organists Lee Erwin, Ashley Miller, Lou Hurvitz, Dan Bellomy, Dennis James, Ralph Ringstad, Dave Kopp, Greg Owen, Jeff Barker and Paul Roberts are among the many popular artists who have performed in concert at the NYMA Mighty Moller in recent years.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Organ
• Music
• NYMA
• Moller
• Wurlitzer

[stormsirens2]

So I'm curious is a Wurlitzer mechanical and electric, meaning is the connection between the keyboard and instruments mechanical or electric?

[TheJakeman789]

That sounds like tv show music. I wonder why the resivor bounces like that

[TheJakeman789]

That's the blower at 1:14

[MargaretTD]

If you view this please send a donation to NYMA

Thanks!

[greyantelope]

Nice to hear Ralph Ringstad putting a great sounding organ through its paces.

NYTOS, and Tom Stehle in particular are to be much congratulated for keeping it in such great playing condition. I have also had the pleasure of hearing both Cameron Carpenter and Michael Lundy perform on that organ as well.