The Eldridge Park Carousel Finally Has a Voice

ound is one of our major memory triggers. And the Eldridge Park carousel experience would be incomplete without the wonderful program music from the original.

Frank Messina, a board member of the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, understood the importance of having the right sound associated with the restored carousel. He took on the daunting task of researching and acquiring the original “soundtrack of memories” to enhance our enjoyment. He knew anything less would not live up to the standards of the original, and to our memories of the carousel.

Over the course of two years he found many of the original tracks associated with the Eldridge Park carousel. Some had to be transferred from vinyl LPs. Some came from as far away as the United Kingdom. In addition to the original carousel music, he selected period Big Band music that covered the carousel’s heyday from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Then after amassing this collection of auditory memories, he set out to combine them into the best mix. Choosing just the right songs and right order for our enjoyment.

Out of this collection of 30 CDs would come six CDs. One CD is special mix of 20 meaningful songs used for Opening Night only. And 93 songs on five CDs comprise the Daily Program.

Frank enlisted the help of Elmira native and childhood friend Kirk Kilmer to create the end result, those six CDs. Using the 30 CDs, Kirk compiled the six CDs to Frank’s specifications. Kirk also designed the CD artwork using inspiration from The Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society’s web site.

The end result is a musical experience that will stir memories for veterans of the original carousel, and create memories for new carousel fans.

Special Note: These Carousel Music CD's are currently only for playing at the carousel. The possibility of offering the music for sale in the future is being looked into.