European Hurdy Gurdy (Street Organ Grinder)
Wake Forest, N.C.

Enjoy the music of Tom Weierick in his second appearance at Festa Italiana on Saturday, September 20, in Apex, N.C.

Tom will stroll the festival grounds in period attire, entertaining crowds with his antique-style mechanical street organ. His lively mix of old-world melodies and familiar modern tunes captures the joyful spirit of the Festa. His performance pays tribute to the original organ grinders—many of them Italian immigrants—who brought music and merriment to American streets long before the days of radio and the Victrola.

“I am fortunate to have lived for short periods in Germany, the UK, and Ireland,” he said. “During those times, I would often see mechanical street organ grinders in the old city squares. I found these instruments and their history fascinating. Back in the U.S., I missed this aspect of European street performance. After researching a bit, I found an organ builder in Austria and commissioned a small 20-note busker organ so that I might share this tradition with folks back in the USA. I hope you find it as interesting as I do!

“My instrument is hand built by Christian Wittmann Orgelbau, which was founded in 2009 and specializes in the manufacture and restoration of mechanical organs. The particular organ I commissioned is dual format, thus, it plays both traditional paper roll music as well as having a MIDI controller that can hold many more songs. The wood is African Padauk.”

Check out pictures of Tom’s instrument's construction here.