Dear MMD readers:  I am a relatively new MBSI member who just received
a large project grant from the National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences, the same organization which awards the "Grammys".  These
funds will be used over the next two years in order to travel to U.S.
collections which contain American-made music machines (and American
mechanical music), and to record and archive American mechanical music
for the purposes of historical preservation.

Before I go any further with this message, let me say that I am
by no means an "expert" in mechanical music and mechanical musical
instruments!  I merely have a tremendous interest in them, and most of
what little I know about mechanical music was acquired conversationally
with a handful of MBSI members.  Therefore, while I am very happy about
receiving these funds from the NARAS/Grammy Academy, and while I am
very enthusiastic about my recording and archiving project, I am
certainly not the most knowledgeable person for the task ahead.

Anyway, the news of this award got around pretty quickly, and two days
ago, I received a phone call from National Public Radio in Washington,
DC.  They were very interested in interviewing me for their "Lost and
Found Sound" series which is broadcast during the programs "All Things
Considered" and "Anthem".  They wanted me to come in for a studio
interview ASAP -- this week! -- and despite my pleas for more time to
collect my thoughts and check my information, I consented to do the
interview before I was really ready for it.  It was recorded this
afternoon (Thursday Feb 25th, 1999) and is scheduled to be broadcast
this Saturday.

I hope that many of you will be able to tune in to "Anthem" this
weekend on National Public Radio (NPR), to hear a bit about my project,
and to hear me doing my best to talk to the entire country about
American mechanical music.  I am embarrassed to say that it is highly
probable that I had some of my information wrong or mixed-up, as I tried
to talk about American mechanical music manufacturers, the history
of certain songs or companies or instruments, the ways that certain
instruments worked, and the approximate dates that certain songs
or instruments appeared.

However, I think I succeeded in explaining why mechanical music is
fascinating and important to the history of music, and I brought in
some recordings I made of a Gatley roller organ, a Mills Violano-
Virtuoso, a Regina disc-box, and an Aeolian Orchestrelle.  I hope that
the more knowledgeable MBSI members who hear the NPR program this
weekend will forgive my naive commentary, and realize that this was
really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

NPR has told me that the segment will probably air this Saturday on
their program "Anthem", if all goes according to schedule.  If they
need more time to edit the tape, or to produce a longer segment, it
may be broadcast on a different day in the near future (so stay tuned
to MMDigest if you don't hear me on Saturday!)  I don't know the
frequencies or call letters for NPR in different cities around the
country, but when I find out exactly what time the program will air,
I will try to let people know via this news group (so check your email
Saturday morning, unless you are a regular listener of NPR's "Anthem".)

Anyway, I'd like to thank a few MBSI members who have helped me thus
far, though I am not sure how many of them read this news group.  Thanks
to Kevin Kline and Beatrice Robertson, both of whom provided me with a
lot of valuable information, and who wrote letters of recommendation
which helped me get funding for my project.  Special thanks to Nelson
Pease at the Pease Collection of Historical Musical Instruments in
Palmer, Mass., where I made all the recordings which will be heard on
the NPR program.  (Nelson also wrote me a wonderful letter of support).

If anyone has any comments or suggestions for me, you can either post
them here, or write me directly at <mjost@oeb.harvard.edu>.  Hope you
enjoy the program

Sincerely,

Manda Clair Jost

 [ That's great news, Manda Clair.  Please let us know how we can
 [ help you in your new project.  -- Robbie