Now Ningbo has a mechanical pipe organ that it can call its own, and when it made its debut on Oct 28, more than 600 people attended the concert, a turnout that pleasantly surprised Berg. 

"When the opportunity finally came through to have the instrument here I didn't quite believe it at first," Berg told the paper. "I thought this is a little too good to be true and held my breath right up until the time that the dedication concert was played." 

For the premier performance Berg invited the Dutch composer Ad Wammes to write a piece reflecting the literal meaning of Ningbo, peaceful waves, for the new organ. 

"Justin explained the meaning of Ningbo to me, and explained what he wanted," Wammes said, and that inspired the composition Peaceful Waves. 

"After the concert, about 50 people wanted to take pictures with me, my wife and Craig," said Wammes, visiting China for the first time, accompanied by his wife, and referring to Craig Crammer, professor of organ at the University of Notre Dame, who was also invited to play the organ at the premier.

The tremendous reception had made him feel like one of the Beatles, Wammes said. 

An audio and video recording of Peaceful Waves is currently being produced and will be published online, and Berg is now looking for composers who can combine Chinese instruments such as the erhu with the pipe organ for a concert to be held in April.

"Two cultures can meet at this very old instrument," Berg said.

Born and bred in Michigan, Berg has a natural attachment to waterways, and Ningbo has become a second home for him. Now that his adopted city finally has its organ, his head is no longer his sole practice room, and life is a little more complete. 

"For me it's like having part of my family here."