Hello all,  A few weeks ago, I went to Del Mar, California, to hear
a jazz festival going on at the Hilton hotel there.  Over the course
of the weekend, I managed to find some time to take the train down to
San Diego and visit the carousels at Balboa Park and Seaport Village.

The carousel at Balboa Park is a large Herschell-Spillman menagerie
that is original to the park.  It has an operating ring machine and
the original North Tonawanda band organ; in addition, it is quite
possibly the fastest carousel on the West Coast, reportedly clocking
in at around 20 mph at top speed!  The organ was not operational when
I visited; however, I am sure the problem is fixed now, since it has
always been kept in good working order.

Interestingly, when I first got on, hardly any of the people riding
the carousel noticed when an attendant swung the ring arm towards the
carousel; only one or two knew what it was for!  So I started playing
on every ride; on the second ride I got the brass ring!  Pretty soon,
they figured it out, and I am sure that many parents and teenagers
now have a good excuse to ride the carousel!

After that, I went over to Seaport Village and got in line to buy
a ticket.  The carousel building there is glassed-in, and there is
only one entrance.  Considering how late in the day it was (the sun
was setting), I was surprised to wait in a line of about 10 parents
and their children.

The carousel here occupies a prominent place near the entrance of the
center.  I firmly believe that the carousel is the heart and soul of
Seaport Village, and also the "glue" that holds it together.  If it
were sold and moved away, I predict that the blow dealt to the Village
would be devastating.

After buying a ticket (rather pricey at $2.00 a pop), I mounted a carved
steed and fastened my safety belt.  When the operator was done checking
that everyone was buckled in, he pushed a button.  Immediately a canned
voice gave a short history of the carousel and basic safety precautions.
After this minute-long tirade, the carousel noiselessly started turning.
In a few seconds, the band organ was started too, and flawlessly began
a rousing rendition of Sousa's "King Cotton".  As the carousel turned,
I looked out of the windows, admiring the view.  I then looked back
towards the Bruder organ, and was surprised to see a large rectangular
box sitting on the keyframe.

Rather than use the cardboard books, the operator had elected to use
a popular MIDI system which does nothing to compromise the integrity
of the organ, but simply manipulates the keyframe keys (or tracker bar
holes) in the same way the punched holes do.  A small floppy drive sat
on top of the organ, along with a short stack of floppy disks.

Closing my eyes, I could detect absolutely no difference in the actual
sound of the organ, though the number of selections the organ could
play without needing attention was astounding: the whole time I was
there (for three or four rides), I must have heard ten full-length
tunes, including many marches, a few popular songs (including themes
from various 1960's movies), and German selections.

Since the ride was timed, the operator knew exactly when to cut off
the organ.  After the organ was in the middle of its second tune, the
operator waited for the end of a chorus, then hit the "pause" button
on the MIDI drive, and shut off the organ.  The next batch of riders
would then hear the last half of that song, and one more full song.

I must say, there's nothing like riding a carousel to the music of
a real band organ!  There is a big difference: when you are going
around and around to canned music, they either crank up the volume
so it is in your face, or play it so softly that it is drowned out
by the riders talking.  Another thing: when a real organ is used,
the music stays in one place, so it swells and softens as the person
is going around and around, giving an added sensation of motion;
but the canned music emanates from various small speakers hung
around the building, creating a sameness of sound.

The wooden construction of the building helped add a warmth and
presence to the sound that is lacking in mostly-concrete or metal
buildings.  Also the size of the organ was perfectly matched to that
of the carousel, so that it was neither too loud or too soft.  The
automatic registers also added a great deal of interest and musicality
to the music.  I don't know if I could ride the carousel in Salem,
Oregon, mentioned in MMDigest several months ago.  My ears would
probably be ringing.

I certainly hope that someone does something to save this carousel and
keep it in its current location.  Very, very few wooden carousels in
the U.S.A. have this perfect blend of location, organ, and building,
not to mention the exquisite overall condition of the animals and
frame.  My hat is off to the persons who gave their time and effort
to restore this lively work of art.  I wish that I could name some
specific names, but unfortunately, I do not know who carried out the
work.  Hopefully, someone reading my article could clue us in to this.

Bottom line: If you are ever in the San Diego area, whether you live
there or are just visiting, please, please, please take time to visit
this carousel and ride it, if you have not already done so.  My mother
rode it when it was in its original location at Salisbury Beach, Mass.,
and I have ridden it here now.  Who knows how long it may stick around
here.  You owe it to yourself.

Sincerely,
Andrew Barrett