A music box movement having a mechanism to impede or cause rotation of star wheels, wherein spaced points on the star wheels pluck the tines of the musical comb to perform a desired series of musical tones. In its preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises activating arms with rods having tips thereon, wherein the tips contact the surface of the star wheel and only permit rotation of the star wheel when the tips are withdrawn via activation of a computer-controlled solenoid. Alternatively, again via a computer-controlled solenoid, the mechanism actively causes movement of the star wheel by pushing against, or pulling via hooks, the star wheel points to cause rotation. In lieu of a solenoid, computer-controlled electromagnetically-engaged plates in communication with the activating arms are selectively utilized to adhere to a rotating drum, thereby moving the activating mechanism.