The west wall of Music Hall Ballroom, before construction began.
Work is underway to remove the stage.
A protective barrier is constructed around the work area.
The stage and grill have been removed.
Behind the barrier, the work area is getting busy.
The area being prepped is on the right side of this image.
The chamber that will hold the pipes and mechanical workings of the Mighty Wurlitzer
Ensuring good air circulation, free of pollutants
Inside the chamber
Just a few feet north of the pipes is an area that will become a spotlighted, glass-doored room in which the Wurlitzer will be stored.
These boxes hold the pipes that will be installed.
More pipes laid out for viewing.
The grillwork is installed.
Ron standing next to the 1,700 lb. 15 HP organ blower, located 100′ from the chambers, in room designed for 70 degrees and 40 percent humidity at all times.
There’s proper filtration and climate control equipment…and dedicated HVAC.
Looking into the first of two rooms-the Solo Chamber. On the right, you can see the doorway to the second room, the Main Chamber.
Just inside the door, the ranks line the walls of the chamber, with the Solo 16′ Tibia on the right, expression shades on the front wall, Tuba Mirabilis on the left.
In the Main Chamber: 16′ Bourdons, 8′ Flute, with Diapason behind, and the expression shades on the right.
The 16′ Wood Diaphones to the right, on the back wall of the Main Chamber, VDO & Celeste in center, 8′ Tibia to the left with 16′ Tuba behind.
Ron demonstrating how one of the 44 expression shades opens into the ballroom from each chamber.
The toy counter with cymbals, tambourine, castanets, wood block, triangle, bass drum, snare drum, gong, train bell at bottom, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Chimes, and tuned Sleigh Bells.
A look inside the back of the Console. Uniflex 3000 Relay System, computer controlled.
The Uniflex Relay in Solo Chamber. It required three weeks for Ron to wire the several thousand electrical connections.
Solo chamber with unique Wurlitzer brass sax and brass trumpets. Percussions are along the back wall.
Main chamber with 16′ wood diaphones on the back wall. Chrysoglott with metal bars above the classical chest.
Wurlitzer Console on movable platform in display room – refinished Mahogany with gold leaf on ornamentation.
1925 Steinway OR 6′-6″ Duo-Art Grand, played from 3 manuals & pedals on the Wurlitzer console.
A view of the 30-foot wide by 18-foot deep organ chamber. There’s a grille in front of the open expression shades. A yellow 6-foot ladder gives perspective as to the size.
February 2009 – rack boards are ready for installation of the pipes.
Wind pressure regulators for the Wurlitzer.
A modern (for 2009) computer-based system is used to control the instrument.
Lyn Larsen, left, and Ron Wehmeier, testing the organ before the dedication concert.
