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MMD > Archives > June 2011 > 2011.06.03 > 05Prev  Next


Busker Organ MIDI Files At My Web Site
By Wallace Venable

I have updated my web page of music for crank organs, the best entry is
http://www.wallace-venable.name/mechanical-music/MIDI_File_Access.html 

To support the new MIDI interface for the OSI Strasse Orgel, I have
edited over 50 tunes scanned from Wurlitzer Style 125 and 150 band
organ rolls.  These are based on the large archive of player piano
music rolls in MIDI format at the web site run by Terry Smythe, of
Winnipeg, Canada, at  http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/archive.htm 

The majority of the 200 or so scanned tunes enjoyed a relatively
brief popularity, but in the collection I found a good number of
"International Standards" and "American Classics" which I wanted to
add to my music library for our OSI organ.  I did a lot of work in
transposing, note shifting, elimination overlap, etc., but I think
the effort was worth it.

I have also posted sample MP3 audio files of arrangements I have
done of three American circus "screamers."  These are "The Billboard",
composed by John N. Klohr (1869-1956) in 1901, "The Melody Shop",
composed by Karl L. King (1891-1971) in 1910, and "Hosts of Freedom",
composed by Karl King in 1920.  I've done each in the Carl Frei 20-note
scale, the "Universal" 26-note scale, and the Raffin 31-note scale.

I have made arrangements to have Mel Wright (internationally known
arranger and high-speed punch builder) provide the tunes below as
rolls punched on his "plastic paper."  In my opinion, you can not buy
a better quality, or cheaper, roll anywhere and his service is great.

I had him punch the "screamers" as a John Smith Busker roll, which
I expect to play in public for the first time at the COAA Gallipolis
Rally next week.  It is a lot of music for such a small organ!

Mel will supply the rolls at prices comparable to those he charges for
his other music.  He usually punches a roll the same day he receives an
order and ships promptly by air mail.  He accepts most credit cards via
PayPal.  You pay Mel, and he'll punch some music for me.

Wallace Venable


(Message sent Fri 3 Jun 2011, 20:55:03 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Busker, Files, MIDI, My, Organ, Site, Web

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