I feel I want to offer a rebuttal to all the negative comments
regarding the mechanical music organizations.  The first thing is
someone said they are racist and homophobic, and that is not only
wrong, but insulting.  Anyone who has an interest in or a love of
mechanical music is welcome.

The second thing I wish to address is the first time attendees
at conventions feeling left out.  Both organizations have welcome
sessions, and we all try to be conscious of talking to first-timers.
You need to do some of it yourself however.  Don't be afraid to speak
to others, ask questions, comment on what you are seeing and hearing,
and be part of the group.

When Frank and I first joined it was before the convention in Long
Beach, and we volunteered to help with the table favors.  We didn't
know anyone yet, but it was a great way to meet the people with similar
interests.  The more you put into the organization, regardless of which
organization we are speaking of, the more you get out of it.  The work
is done all be volunteers, and if you feel the need for a greeting
committee, speak to one of the officers and offer to help set one up.

As for not hearing enough music at the chapter meetings, I can't speak
for all the chapters, but in Southern California we have music pretty
much the whole time.  I know at our meetings here at our home we may
only play a piece or two on the Steinway, but our collection takes
about two hours to get through, so we tend to have a tour, and when
it's over we will gladly play anything anyone wishes to hear.

We are guilty of having pretty much adults only at our meetings,
since most little ones can't sit still through two or three hours of
a program and business meeting.  We have many youngsters come over with
their parents at other times, though, when we can all pay attention to
them and adjust our time according to their interests.  Most young ones
seem to love to dance to the cafe organs and dance organs, which is
a lot of fun, but wouldn't work at a meeting in a room with 50 or so
attendees.

We had a group of mentally challenged kids come over and the teachers
had done a great job of preparing the kids as to how they were to behave,
telling them if they caused problems they would all leave early.  The
kids self-policed themselves,  and it was really a great success on all
levels.  The kids loved the music, and we all enjoyed the day.

We try here in Southern California to put on band organ rallies two or
three times a year at least, and for those with small children that's
a great venue.  The kids can enjoy the instruments, and usually can use
of their excess energy at the park or wherever the rally is being held.
The parents can talk to their kids about the instruments, show them how
the music goes through and how the organ plays the music, maybe stirring
their interest for the future.

We find in this world of all the computer goodies that the kids have
access to they don't seem to have the appreciation for the older
technologies, and this is sad.  We had a group of teens here and they
decided that the cardboard book music was originally made from the old
computer programs.  We tried to tell them they wouldn't have their
computers if these things hadn't come along first, but whether they
ever got that concept I couldn't say.

All we can do is to expose as many people as possible to the wonders
of mechanical music machines and hope some of them get interested
enough to get into the hobby.  Pianos now are extremely cheap, and many
are available free for the taking.  Small roller organs, too, are
inexpensive and a good way to start.  Antique Music Boxes come in all
price ranges.  You don't have to be a millionaire to enjoy mechanical
music.

Shirley Nix
Woodland Hills, Calif.