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Fairgoers Making Music of Their Own at Empire State Theater and Musical Museum

John Smith
/
WAER News

The State Fair is winding down, and if you’re looking for something different to check out, the Empire State Theatre and Musical Museum in the Art and Home Center might fit the bill.  Sure, you’ll be hoofing it all over the fairgrounds, but spare yourself some energy to perform some 'pedal pumping' on a player piano from the early 1900’s.

You’ll instantly become a piano player, if you’re not already.  Forget those digital music players and smartphones, fairgoers select a roll of music with perforated punches that make up a musical score for the piano to read and play.  A word of advice, your feet have to keep up the right pace to keep a good sounding performance.  The museum’s theater also features Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Concertsboth during the fair and throughout the year. 

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.