Dear MMDs,  Three great living personalities in the field of
mechanical music were awarded the "musica mecanica" prize last Sunday
in Paris by the General Meeting of the French Association AAIMM (650
members), under the cordial and smiling presidency of Jean-Pierre
Arnault.  (This prize is similar to the MBSI Q.D. Bowers award.)

- Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume, English researcher, author of twelve or
more indispensable books on mechanical music, (musical boxes, organs,
pianos, etc.) and numerous articles in various journals, and editor of
a wonderful magazine, "Music and Automata", between 1983 and 1992, and
former President of the MBSGB.  And many, many other activities...

- Jürgen Hocker, former President of the German Society GSM for 20
years (1980-2000).  Invaluable promoter of good contemporary music on
reproducing pianos, he has given (and will go on giving) many concerts
on his two Ampicos, linked by computers.  He wrote many articles on
the famous "pianola" composer Conlon Nancarrow, and published recently
a very good illustrated book about pianolas and reproducing pianos,
"Faszination Player Piano", alas only in German for the moment.

- Robbie Rhodes -- Everybody knows his central role in the MMD as
moderator.  Excellent stride pianist, computer specialist, curious of
everything... A great man too!  (6 feet 4 inches, I believe, perhaps
a little less than Jürgen Hocker, who is probably 6 feet 6 inches tall.
For Arthur Ord-Hume, even closing my eyes, I do not remember).

All three remain very active in their field, and will be for a very
long time, we hope and wish!

If you want to know more about the AAIMM, go to http://www.aaimm.org/ 

With best regards,

Philippe Rouillé
Paris, France
http://www.musicamecanica.org/ 
Vice-president,
Association des Amis des Instruments et de la Musique Mécanique

 [ Merci beaucoup, mes amis -- I am very honoured!  :-)  -- Robbie