Today, Day 4, the big event was the Band Organ Rally at Laclede's
Landing, started at 9:00 am through to 5:00 pm.  On 3 city blocks in
the Landing area, there were 5 large organs, a couple of medium sized
organs, and about a dozen monkey organs.

To my ear, the most impressive large organ was Ken Smith's 86(?) key
Gavioli, attracting a consistently appreciative audience.  His musical
arrangements were outstanding, characterized by no cut-outs.  His most
impressive selections were classical, while most humorous was winter
music in opposition to yet another day of flawless weather.

Large numbers of tourists flowed through the area, and soaked up the
organs as a special treat.  Many expressed delighted surprise.

Upon our return, conversations with others suggested that many others
would have cast their vote in favor of Leonard Railsback and his huge
new Stinson fairground organ.  Sorry, I don't have details.

The annual "Footsie" award for best player piano performance was won
this year, under slightly modified rules, by  Shawn Fox, playing a
Welte performance by Vee Lawnhurst with tracker bar taped.  All other
contestants received a Certificate of Achievement.

The Fox Orchestra Dance was a 15 piece Big Band concert with female
vocalist, providing 2 hours of all the favorites, particularly those of
the Glenn Miller Band.  An adequate dance floor was provided, and a
good time was had by all.  Yousuf Wilson's beautiful art case Fisher
Ampico A privided additional dance music as did Dick Merchant at the
keyboard.

A very special award was made to Dorothy Bromage in recognition of her
outstanding effort in planning and administering last year's Convention
in London, England.

With some sadness we migrated over to the Hospitality Room to reminise
as the room was slowly dismanted.  The Convention is coming to an end.

My next report of the final day will come from my home.

Regards to all from beautiful downtown St. Louis.

Terry

•Terry Smythe                    (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
55 Rowand Avenue                smythe@mts.net
Winnipeg, MB, Canada   R3J 2n6  smythe@freenet.mb.ca
Home page: http://www.mts.net/~smythe