Dave Wickerham: "Music for Cinco de Mayo" 5/5/24 McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer, Lincoln Hall, Foxburg

World acclaimed theatre organist Dave Wickerham performs "Music for Cinco de Mayo" on May 5, 2024 for Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts(ARCA) in Lincoln Hall in Foxburg, PA in the concert launching the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Restoration Project to raise funds to repair and restore Lincoln Hall's 1928 vintage organ.
The organ was rebuilt by Paul McKissick over eleven years in the nineties and installed in his home in Lake Latonka, near Mercer, PA. In 2005, ARCA's founder and president, Dr. Arthur Steffee purchased it for installation in the newly renovated Lincoln Hall.
After intermission of the concert, Dave Wickerham demonstrated the technical issues the Wurlitzer has had for the last ten years, explaining that the instrument was “tired” and showing its age… and in need of repair. To demonstrate this, he played scales on the keyboards that revealed notes that didn’t “speak” and explained why they weren’t voicing correctly.
In the next twelve months, the organ will be restored to its full glory in the professional hands of ARCA’s long-time organ technician, Jason Wiles, and with the artistic consultancy of theatre organist Dave Wickerham.
To accomplish this, a McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Restoration Fund Raising Campaign has been created with a goal of $76,000
Anyone interested in contributing to the Wurlitzer Restoration Project and helping ensure that it will be preserved for future generations may donate here:
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