Carl Hersom to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Carl Hersom is appointed curator of organs for Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he will oversee the overall stewardship, preservation, restoration planning, and long-term care of the historic Midmer-Losh and Kimball pipe organs, ensuring the continued progress of one of the world’s largest and most complex pipe organ restoration projects. A graduate of the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, Hersom earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. His fascination with the organ began at a young age while attending church. Although he studied French horn throughout his early musical education and ultimately majored in horn in college, it was during his university years that he formally began studying organ. His musical background, combined with learning carpentry, electrical systems, and mechanical engineering from his father, sparked a lifelong passion for pipe organ construction, restoration, and history.
While conducting an independent study in organbuilding during college, Hersom completed extensive shadowing with Robert I. Coulter Organbuilders in Atlanta, Georgia. He later served a full-time apprenticeship with GHP Associates in Attleboro, Massachusetts, under the direction of Gary H. Phillips, where he refined his skills in woodworking, leatherwork, and organbuilding techniques.
Hersom joined the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ and Atlantic City’s Historic Organ Restoration Committee (HORC) at Boardwalk Hall on a part-time basis in 2016 before accepting a full-time position with HORC in 2017 as shop assistant. He was promoted to shop foreman in 2022. He is a member of the American Institute of Organbuilders and also performs with the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble and the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble. Hersom is the sixth curator in the hall’s 97-year history.
For information: boardwalkorgans.org.
Other recent appointments:
Alexander Straus-Fausto to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami
