Our Street Organ

John with his Prinsen book organ.

This organ was made by Arthur Prinsen of Belgium. 
It plays what is called book music which is music 
punched on a special folded cardboard.

As a modern day organ grinder you may find him 
strolling though festivals and playing “The Happiest 
Music on Earth”. The music being produced on one 
of the nicest sounding European organs available 
today. The organ is only a few years old however it 
was made in the same tradition as they were made 
a hundred years ago. The music for this organ was 
arranged by one of the foremost arrangers of organ 
music anywhere in the world, Arthur Prinsen, the 
builder.

At the turn of the century organ grinders were found 
in many communities of our growing country. Often 
of Italian, Dutch or German heritage. They cheerfully 
plied their unique trade through the streets of cities 
and towns as well as at fairs and festivals.

Prior to radio and TV, few homes had the recently 
invented phonograph and even fewer had a parlor 
piano. The organ grinder found his niche by offering 
a few minutes of bouncy tunes as he strolled the 
local neighborhoods. One could often find children 
following him like a pied piper, dancing to his 
toe-tapping melodies.

Recapturing the color and romance of that golden 
age, John plays melodies that evoke warm memories 
in many people. His bouncy selection of happy tunes 
will be hard to miss. Watch and listen as John offers 
an engaging succession of old-time popular music 
played on his authentic European street organ. 
Polkas, marches, childrens favorites, waltzes, 
tangos, and much, much more.

If this sounds like the kind of special entertainment 
you might like for your festival or special event, 
please contact John at johnl@vandornsclockshop.com  
for “The Happiest Music on Earth”.