2023 New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall

Highlights from Wanamaker Grand Court Organist - Peter Richard Conte - playing for the 2023 New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall.
Each year we are asked to provide about 45 minutes of music to entertain athletes, coaches, and guests while the semi-final mats are taken down and the final round mats and stage are set up. The music can be heard all throughout the building and is well received every year!

[@briandusell961]

Thank you so much for posting this glimpse into the Boardwalk Hall Organ fulfilling its intended role as background entertainment for the masses. The progress which Nathan Bryson and the crew are accomplishing is very noticeable in this recording. Solo reeds which used to be uneven and ensembles which used to be out of tune now sparkle with restored clarity and brilliance. Thank you so much for all your efforts!!

[@MelancoliaI]

I mean I agree it makes for magnificent background music but i bet it also shines as a concert showpiece too. Always wanted to see/hear it in person

[@voodookitchenmama]

I wish everyone could experience this organ being played in person. It vibrates your body!

[@nathanielhitchner7758]

Yeah, I wish too. I’ve heard it been played in person and I’ve toured the inside. It’s amazing.

[@danielpape8132]

It's really nice to see it being used like this - this is one of the things it was meant to do. I wonder if the audience knew the significance of what they were hearing.

[@musictypefoundry7345]

Oh, man. I really miss hearing the weekly recitals (online) for this organ. Bravo! Sounds sooooo good! Those wrestlers are lucky!

[@theremin137]

What a magician of the keys! Just wondering...what is controlled by first (top) manual? It seems no one ever uses it; the music rack is always pulled down over it.

[@JIMD6370]

That's the floating division keyboard, nothing is assigned it, so it's kind of like an extra keyboard to assign things you want in a separate keyboard.

[@sharpe15_2]

It is the home keyboard for the Gallery divisions, but couplers are used to move them to lower keyboards for ease of play.

[@grahamtwist]

FABULOUS! Try wrestling with seven manuals and 1,235 stop tabs!

[@rzmyers1096]

Great that this generation is being exposed to some Real music for a change.!!!! 👍👍

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

You got a really nice upgrade in your audio setup.

[@smoothstar110]

I just need to ask how is the actual proggress in restoration process of this instrument? How far are you and how do you think it'll take to fully restore it ? How much money and time you need now to complete ? I'm your fan somehow by listening how powerfull it is at the moment knowing that's so much to discover ahead :) Playing this beast might be the best honour for me if I ever could as I can't play pianos and any of key instruments :P

[@markbrown2888]

At 00:53 what song is that?