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Our Annual Convention ...

AMICA holds conventions annually, around the united States and occasionally around the world. Convention activities usually include tours of local sites related to mechanical music, live concerts, technical workshops, a piano pumping competition, a banquet and tours of private collections.

Technical Sessions

Technical Session - How to properly repair pneumatics The conventions feature one day filled with technical sessions designed to teach the enthusiast how to repair, restore elements of mechanical instruments. A Roll Scanner by Spencer Chase

Here are some past Technical Topics: Electronic Reproduction of Original Rolls, Four Different Duo-Art Fan Expression Systems, Perforators, Pneumatic Valve Restoration, The Bleed, Pouch, Valve, Pneumatic Relationship, Ampico Code Decoding, etc.

The Mart

For a small fee, attendees can purchase a table at the MART, where at an appointed time you may sell your collectables and wares to the convention attendees. It's a great way to pick up that book or roll you need!

Tour the Local Area

Whatever city we're in, there's always a day set aside for an extensive sight-seeing trip by bus, to pre-determined attractions germane to our group. Everyone come back with their cameras full and TIRED! There are other opportunities to see attractions within walking distance.

The "Pumper" Contest

Contestants sign up to bring in their favorite piano roll, and play it in front of the audience and 3 judges. The winning performance (See the official Judging Guidelines) wins the right to bring home the "Golden Footsie" award for one year.

Past "Golden Footsie" Winners
2008 - Los Angeles, CA - ?
2007 - Germany/Holland - Ronald Hartwell
2006 - Chicago, IL - Chris Kehoe
2005 - Minneapolis, MN - Alex Thompson
2004 - Denver CO - Roger Stumfoll
2003 - Portland OR - Karl Ellison
2002 - Springdale AR - Roger Stumfoll
2001 - Melbourne AU - Mike Walter
2000 - Sacramento CA - Julian Dyer
1999 - Boston MA - Karl Ellison
1998 - Niagra Falls NY -Julian Dyer
1997 - Sandusky OH - Mike Walter
1996 - St. Louis MO - Shawn Fox
1995 - London - Earl Scheelar
1994 - Seattle WA - Robin Pratt
1993 - Los Angeles CA - Eric Bernhoft
1992 - Chicago IL - John Grant
1989 - Boston MA - John Grant

The Hospitality Room

A general meeting place for all attendees, it is the focus of information, refreshment, and contains several player pianos and other automatic instruments which may be freely used.

Farewell Dinner

The last evening together, we have a "dress up" (formal or costume) dinner with formal service. A Jazz band provides period music during dinner and after for dancing into the night.

Open Houses

Convention "go-ers" who can stay after the Sunday breakfast are encouraged to come to local member's homes and see their collections. A listing of the homes and their contents are posted at the convention, and transportation is provided. Plan to stay an extra day to see what treasures others have - or, hop a shuttle from there to the airport.

Past & Future Conventions ...

Year	Location	Website History	Convention Roll / Souvenir / Photos Send additions/corrections to the Website Manager
2011	<Open>
2010	Buffalo, NY July 7-11
2009	Covington, KY July 21-27
2008	Los Angeles, CA July 1-6	Los Angeles-2008
2007	Germany/Holland July 5-20	Germany-2007	Roll: None this year Souvenir: "Organ grinder" which had a music box in it that played "The Loreley". Made by Seigfreid Wendel. Photos: Here
2006	Chicago, IL July 25-30	Chicago-2006 Workshops	Roll: Meliora "Windy City Blues", written/played-by Nathan Bello, c2006 Photos: Here
2005	Minneapolis, MN June 29 - July 3	Minneapolis-2005	Roll: Q.R.S. # CU-688: 1. Minneapolis Moon (originally QRS 2627) 2. Foshay Tower - Washington Memorial March (Arranged by John W. Miller) Souvenir: Variety of Spice Packages, courtesy of Watkins family, Northern Lights Chapter. Photos: Here
2004	Denver, CO	Denver-2004	Roll: Q.R.S. #CU-688: 1. "Denver", 2. "Colorado" Both numbers made famous by John Denver. The roll was played by Colorado's own Dick Kroeckel and Edited by Art Reblitz. Souvenir: <none this year>
2003	Portland, OR		Roll: PMR produced: "Rose City Rag" P/b & Composed: Nathan Bello Edited by Dave Saul Souvenir: Coffee mug w/convention emblem. Emblem is black until filled with hot liquid then emblem shows. Photos: Here
2002	Springdale, AR		Roll: ? Souvenir: Musical Outhouse
2001	Sydney, Australia	Sydney-2001	Roll: Souvenir:
2000	Sacramento, CA		Roll: American Ragtime Co: "Echoes from Old Sacramento" Arranged/Played: Richard Zimmerman Souvenir: ? Photos: Here
1999	Boston, MA		Roll: QRS #CU-637: "Tea for Two" et al. Souvenir: Ceramic Tea Pot w/ convention logo on a musical base. Photos: Here
1998	Niagara Falls, Canada
1997	Sandusky, OH
1996	St. Louis, MO
1995	London, England
1994	Seattle, WA
1993	Los Angeles, CA
1992	Chicago, IL
1991	New Orleans, LA
1990	Cleveland, OH
1989	Boston, MA
1988	San Francisco, CA		Roll: QRS CU-512 (1) "Hello Frisco, Hello" (2) "Grizzly Bear Rag" (3) "San Francisco" - no playing artist was identified on the roll. Souvenir: Replica San Francisco Cable Car with a wind-up musical movement.
1987	Minneapolis, MN		Roll: QRS CU-500 (1) "Minnesota Hats Off To Thee!" (2) "Hail Minnesota" (3) Hiawatha" (4) "Red Wing" (5) "By The Waters Of Minnetonka" - no playing artist was identified on the roll. Souvenir: Snowman on a stick with a musical movement inside. If you whirled the stick around, it rotated the snowman on the stick and drove the musical movement.
1986	Philadelphia, PA
1985	Detroit MI
1984	Kansas City, KS
1983	Chicago, IL
1982	Bethlehem, PA
1981	Dallas, TX		Roll: QRS CU-313 (1) "I Love a Piano" and (2) "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" both played by J. Lawrence Cook. Souvenir: Large mug with the convention logo and dates.
1980	Pasadena, CA		Roll: QRS CU-265 (1) "California Here I Come" played by J. Lawrence Cook (2) "Moonlight and Roses" played by Harold Scott and (3) "Home in Pasadena" played by Doug Roe. Souvenir: The Southern CA chapter hand-made miniature Encore banjo replicas with a small wind-up cylinder musical movement inside.
1979	Philadelphia, PA
1978	Dayton, OH
1977	San Francisco, CA
1976	Joplin, MO
1975	Buffalo, NY
1974	Grand Junction, CO
1973	Dallas TX
1972	Los Angeles, CA
1971	<none>
1970	San Francisco, CA

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Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association,
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Page last Updated: Saturday, May 03, 2008 11:15 AM

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