Mechanical Organ Owners Society
in conjunction with Melody Tours
'The Show Must Go On!' 2017
Join our legendary annual 'MOOS Tour' to the continent
Visit collections & museums in a wonderful social backdrop
Visit collections & museums in a wonderful social backdrop
Our annual coach trip to the continent is a blast! A lovely chance to socialise with familiar faces and make new friends, while having exclusive access to collections both public and private.
When last November saw the end of the annual organ gathering at Ulvenhout many thought that this would be the end of this traditional get together of organs and their owners. Not so, as in 2017, Ruud Vader launched an event which recreated the atmosphere of Ulvenhout in a new and magnificent setting!
On our tour, we were invited to attend this inaugural event and we also focused on how the younger generations of some well-known organ owning families are making their mark on the organ world, all making sure that the show must go on!
Friday 10th November: Evening
After a smooth ferry crossing, we traveled up through Belgium to our first stop - a meal at the Bakkersmolen in Essen. We had musical accompaniment from the owners two handturned organs.
After a smooth ferry crossing, we traveled up through Belgium to our first stop - a meal at the Bakkersmolen in Essen. We had musical accompaniment from the owners two handturned organs.
Friday 10th November: Late night
After dinner, 13 MOOS members invaded the famous Café Beveren with its legendary Decap organ and well stocked bar.
After dinner, 13 MOOS members invaded the famous Café Beveren with its legendary Decap organ and well stocked bar.
Saturday 11th November : Morning
Our day began with a visit to the newly opened organ hall of Gino Mutsters in Zundert. Many of you will know Gino from our previous tours where we visited his parents house to hear the organs, now these new premises are truly stunning.
Our day began with a visit to the newly opened organ hall of Gino Mutsters in Zundert. Many of you will know Gino from our previous tours where we visited his parents house to hear the organs, now these new premises are truly stunning.
In addition to Gino’s own collection of semi-electronic dance organs we heard the 121 key Decap “De Monty” which is currently a guest organ at Ginos.
It was a really memorable morning of Dance Organ music and tasty refreshments.
Saturday 11th November : Lunchtime
Next, a real treat as we were let into the collection of Wies Schwagten in Tilburg.
It's been some years since we visited this outstanding collection of dance organs and we saw new additions, plus the restoration of the “Rupel II”
Next, a real treat as we were let into the collection of Wies Schwagten in Tilburg.
It's been some years since we visited this outstanding collection of dance organs and we saw new additions, plus the restoration of the “Rupel II”
Saturday 11th November : Afternoon
We then headed north to make our first ever visit to the organ collection of the Krul family in Leiden.
The family are well-known for their attendance at various events in the UK with organs and are also leading dealers in the mechanical music so interesting organs tend to come and go quite frequently here.
We then headed north to make our first ever visit to the organ collection of the Krul family in Leiden.
The family are well-known for their attendance at various events in the UK with organs and are also leading dealers in the mechanical music so interesting organs tend to come and go quite frequently here.
Saturday 11th November : Evening
Saturday night is Party night! We visited the Kunkelsstichting in Haarlem. Taking its name from the imposing Kukelsorgel Marenghi that stands at one end of the hall, this is an outstanding collection of street and dance organs, including the street organs “De Jupiter” and “De Grote Blauwe”. We enjoyed a full evening of music from all the organs at this at this renowned collection.
Saturday night is Party night! We visited the Kunkelsstichting in Haarlem. Taking its name from the imposing Kukelsorgel Marenghi that stands at one end of the hall, this is an outstanding collection of street and dance organs, including the street organs “De Jupiter” and “De Grote Blauwe”. We enjoyed a full evening of music from all the organs at this at this renowned collection.
Sunday 12th November: Morning
The late Jan van Eijk was the creator of a most successful line of 51 key street organs in the world. Many of them came to England. The good news is that his sons & grandson are still highly active in the organ world, and it was a great pleasure to visit to their workshops in Terwolde.
The late Jan van Eijk was the creator of a most successful line of 51 key street organs in the world. Many of them came to England. The good news is that his sons & grandson are still highly active in the organ world, and it was a great pleasure to visit to their workshops in Terwolde.
Sunday 12th November: Afternoon
Following in the footsteps of his father Bram, Ruud Vader in Basingerhorn has assembled a superb collection of organs from the Black Forest organ builders and he hosted his first ever November open day, including the magnificent Peeters Gavioli with its elaborate Bruder-built façade.
Following in the footsteps of his father Bram, Ruud Vader in Basingerhorn has assembled a superb collection of organs from the Black Forest organ builders and he hosted his first ever November open day, including the magnificent Peeters Gavioli with its elaborate Bruder-built façade.
Monday 13th November
We finished the tour with a new location.
Eddy Goderis in Middelkerke has an organ collection in a cafe, just around the corner from Calais. We were served traditional apple tart and treated to performances on instruments Eddy himself has built, plus a semi-electronic 105 Decap.
We finished the tour with a new location.
Eddy Goderis in Middelkerke has an organ collection in a cafe, just around the corner from Calais. We were served traditional apple tart and treated to performances on instruments Eddy himself has built, plus a semi-electronic 105 Decap.
To join us in the MOOS Tour in the future, email your interest to
[email protected]
With thanks to Jonny Ling, Alan Roberts and James Dundon for the photos.
[email protected]
With thanks to Jonny Ling, Alan Roberts and James Dundon for the photos.