A M I C A

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The International Association of Player-Piano, Roll-Playing and Automatic Instrument Enthusiasts

What's an Automatic Musical Instrument … a player-piano?
Yes, that's a start - but there's much more ...

AMICA, (pronounced "Am-ih-cah") the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association is an educational non-profit organization with worldwide appreciation of historic automatic musical instruments. AMICA provides a lively forum for the sharing of the many aspects of our hobby

 A collection isn't necessary to belong!

 Our members' interests vary widely, from collecting instruments and rolls and related items, from fascination with the mechanisms, to interest in the history and the technicians and the artists, to just plain listening to the music of these amazing instruments.

AMICA was founded in San Francisco in 1963. Its goal has always been to introduce people from all walks of life to the beauty and value of automatic musical instruments. AMICA has prevented the destruction of many fine rare instruments that have been restored to their former glory. Not only that, but AMICA has placed many instruments in places where the general public can see, hear and enjoy these glorious instruments from the past.

Here are some of the things "AMICAns" do:

WE SHARE INFORMATION: The AMICA Bulletin is published regularly and offers articles, technical and historic information, biographical sketches, international and chapter news, as well as advertisements of interest to all collectors of automatic musical instruments.

WE MEET COLLECTORS: The Membership Directory lists fellow members and their collecting interests (available to members only). Annual Membership Meetings are held during the convention to discuss national association policy. Local Chapters form a network around the world. These chapters meet regularly to socialize and share common interests in automated mechanical musical instruments.

WE ATTEND CONVENTIONS: Annual Conventions are sponsored by local chapters to highlight their regions and local collections. This meeting gives members the chance to enjoy collections, see interesting people, places and things, and they allow AMICAns to make friends with collectors from the world over.  Conventions are  hosted by enthusiastic chapter members who share an interest in all facets of automatic musical instrument collecting. Informative workshops are presented as well as marts where members can buy and sell rolls and other items related to automatic musical instruments.

 

                                                 AMICA Bulletin Covers from the Past
Archived in the Members Only Section are digital copies of over 400 AMICA Bulletins dating back to 1964, that members can access for research and nostalgic pleasure. Here are what some of the covers looked like. Click on any to display full size.



Dec 1976



Dec 1977



Dec 1978



Dec 1979

 

Preview our Current Bulletin on our Publications page

AMICA PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE


Encyclopedia of American Organettes 1870s-1910s
            History, Catalog, Raisonné,
                       and Appreciation.
       By Q. David Bowers
            An AMICA-International Publication

 


Encyclopedia of Disc Music Boxes 1881-1920
            A History, Catalog Raisonné,
                       and Appreciation.
       By Q. David Bowers
            An AMICA-International Publication

Focus on AMICA Chapters

 Chapter Activities, Fall 2020

Besides AMICA membership generally, there are local chapters throughout the United States that you can also join. Chapters meet a few times or more per year. Meetings take place in member's homes and local venues of interest. There's a small additional  chapter membership fee per household to help fund meetings. If  you have a passion for automated musical instruments, whether  you own any or not, and you are interested in joining a local  chapter, you're encouraged to contact the Chapter Officers in your  area to find out when/where their next meeting will be: you can  usually attend as a guest first too, to see what it's like! You will  meet other friendly people who share a common interest in  automatic musical instruments! Before joining a local Chapter, you  must first be a member of AMICA International. Visit our  Membership page for more information on joining!

Join AMICA
Membership Benefits: 
   AMICA members receive the AMICA Bulletin, our journal of mechanical music, and a printed Membership Directory. Members also have the opportunity to meet others who share their interests through Annual Conventions, and membership in Local Chapters where they can attend meetings and meet mechanical music enthusiasts in their own region.

 

  Contact Us 

AMICA International
Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association,
a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

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