Band organ collectors crank out tunes at park

Aficionados call band organ tunes 'the happiest music on earth.'
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A cheerful German circus tune filled Courthouse Square as Bob Ebert of North Ridgeville cranked his six-pipe band organ.
Ebert's organ was soon joined by many others Friday as the 31st Mid-America Band Organ Rally kicked off.
Band organs are a type of pipe organ that were popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The large organs were used in carousels, amusement parks or roller-skating rinks. Smaller hand-cranked versions, like Ebert's, were popular streetside entertainment.
"Many people in Europe and the U.S. would walk around the streets playing one of these," Ebert's wife, Marcia, said. "They would often have a monkey with a tin cup who would collect tips for playing. That's how they made their living."
The Eberts began collecting band organs about 10 years ago.
"It's the happiest music on earth," Bob Ebert said, reciting the rally's slogan.
The Thompson family, soaking up the atmosphere at a picnic table, said they were enjoying the happy atmosphere.
"It's fun, and it really is happy music. It's a great place to bring the grandkids," said Karen Thompson of Warren, who brought her husband Paul, along with her daughter Melanie of Weathersfield, and Melanie's two children Jesse, 1 1/2, and Paige, 3.
But where are the monkeys?
Melanie was disappointed that the rally was missing one furry creature typically associated with organ grinders. "I was hoping they would have some real monkeys," she said.
Across the square from the Thompsons, John Adsworth of St. Catharines, Ontario, was changing the music rolls on a 1911 Military Band Organ.
"I think you have to be a bit mad to do this, really," said Adsworth, who is originally from England. "I enjoy it though. We have some good get-togethers."
Adsworth and Pauline Leonard, the band organ's owner, travel all over the U.S. and Canada to band organ rallies.
Leonard's deceased husband, John, was an avid collector of band organs and phonographs. After he died, Pauline sold most of his collection, but she kept the military organ, which John purchased in 1957.
"It's been in our family almost 50 years," she said of the instrument, which has 52 pipes, two drums and a cymbal. "It's my pride and joy."
The organ was originally built for a roller-skating rink in North Tonawanda, N.Y., by the North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works Co.
"It's much louder than a carousel organ because it was built to fill a hall," said Adsworth as he got ready to blast out another tune.
Leonard said Courthouse Square is a perfect place to hold this year's rally.
"This park is so beautiful and well-maintained," she said. "This is my first visit to Warren, but it won't be my last."
Champion native and professional organist Dave Calendine was instrumental in bringing the rally to Warren. Calendine is a member of the Mid-America Chapter of the Musical Box Society, which sponsors the rally.
"I love downtown Warren, and I wanted to show it off," he said.
Calendine, who is head organist at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, is scheduled to take part in a free "dueling organs" concert on Friday evening at the First United Methodist Church on North Park Avenue.
The rally is scheduled to continue today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
agarrett@vindy.com