I have tried to promote the player piano here at the university by
offering to give a concert along with a presentation. Despite my
enthusiasm the idea has received only a lukewarm reception. It's
a shame that young people have never heard the wonderful ragtime
and traditional jazz tunes of an earlier era and are uninterested
in hearing them.
I have to disagree with Douglas Henderson about the AMICA pumper
contest. I've participated in the contest as have many other MMD
subscribers. The contest is one of the most popular events of the
convention and the performances are superb. Mr. Henderson has not
attended an AMICA convention in years and his information is
second-hand at best.
At last year's Portland convention, I brought my Chicago Medley roll
with me and played it twice in the hospitality room. Both times
a crowd gathered and sang along with the roll. The enthusiasm and
interest are there, you just have to bring them out.
Joyce Brite - Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/
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