Here's 2 cents more:  Ingmar Krause mentioned the possibility of
creating rap music for the Dutch street organ.  This may be one way to
get teens interested in mechanical music.  (I'd certainly like to hear
it, and I haven't been a teen since... Well, okay, it's been awhile!).

Equally important, however, is explaining to these people the
relationship between antique and modern self-playing (electronic)
musical instruments.  After all, mechanical music machines are, in
essence, antique sequencers.  And those who programmed them "back
in the day" were doing something very hip and cool.  They were using
the cutting-edge technology of their time.  Today's rappers program
beats onto their brand new keyboards and drum machines, which play
back the music automatically.  Not very different from the way
mechanical music works.

As for the music itself, the tunes were certainly 'en vogue' when they
came out at that time; and just as rap and hardcore rock is controversial
today, so was ragtime and jazz in its day.  (Another point teens can
relate to).

I feel it's a matter of relating the similarities between yesterdays
automated music and today's technology and popular music.  I run a
recording studio and have all kinds of clients, playing all styles of
music.  When I get a young rap or rock musician, I often explain to him
or her my interest in mechanical music and how it relates to today's
sequencers.  Some of them are curious and I go into more detail.
(Always nice when that happens).

Who knows -- a century from now, someone may discuss the topic of
"Modern Music Played On Antique Drum Machines"!

Happy Holidays
Sharon Marie