Notes - Issue 2, Volume 1 - Museum of Making Music

n tes

museum of making music 1

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 SPRING 2015

a division of the

Foundation.

director’s note

So Much to Tell...

There’s much to read in this issue of Notes, so I’ll keep my comments brief. First order of business, though, is an update on our fundraising efforts. Things are looking very good! We hoped to raise $17,500 in our annual fund drive—and I’m pleased to report that we actually raised $23,598! Thanks to all who responded to our appeal. Of course, in fundraising, the work is never really “done.” Next up: the fall gala on October 4—and it’s shaping up to be quite an exciting event.

Stay tuned for details and don’t forget, last year’s event sold out.

We’ve also received a number of important grants this year that will help fund some very meaningful projects here at the Museum. First, with support from the Norris Foundation, we are expanding the representation of countries on our interactive touchscreen—that’s the “Global Spotlight Wall” in Gallery 5. Then, get ready for some music-filled Sunday afternoons this summer thanks to funding from the City of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office. And our younger visitors are in for a new treat on their field trips this fall. With funding from the County of San Diego Neighborhood Reinvestment Program and support from Fender Musical Instruments, we are creating an interactive activity that uses the electric guitar to engage students in learning about Science, Technolo-

gy, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.). Finally, our local Subaru dealership just presented the Museum with a check for $4,265, which they raised through their Subaru “Share the Love” drive. Our sincere thanks to all of these community groups and businesses for their generous support!

I promised “brief,” didn’t I. Okay, on pages 4 and 5, you will read a very small sampling of the more than 1,000 (and counting) testimonials that people have left in response to the What Music Means To Me special exhibition. The exhibition has been a tremendous success. So how are we going to top that? Well, by doing something completely different! This next fall, after WMMTM closes on August 31, we will turn our focus to—the bass! Not just the bass guitar (although that’s an important part for sure!), but all things bass—from sound waves to subwoofers and from the bass clarinet to the Tubax, we will invite you to learn about the roles of music’s lower register. And….we’ll invite you to hear the beauty of the bass with a unique lineup of some of the greatest bass musicians!

So, fasten your seat belts for a lot of reading in this issue, and a lot of listening and learning here at the Museum in the coming months. c a r o ly n g r a n t , e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r

2

“

membership

We initially became museum members to support the Museum’s North Coast Strings orchestra, which has become a phenomenal group of musicians ‘making music’ for their own, as well as their audience’s enjoyment. Along the way, we’ve been treated to other museum programs and exhibits that are both entertaining and educational. The new track membership has expanded our opportunities even further, with events such as a VIP breakfast, where we got to preview the newest exhibition and meet some very interesting and enthusiastic supporters of the Museum of Making Music.

”

gene hubbard , new visionary track member

Your Way Is Our Way Our new membership program, “Museum Membership— Your Way,” is off to a great start with 52 “Track“ members signing up! Along with our basic membership levels (Individual, Student, Senior and Family), the program now offers three enhanced levels, or “tracks”—Listening, Learning and Visionary—each with a unique array of benefits to suit individual preferences. The Listening Track is for those most interested in the Museum’s live music offerings; the Learning Track is for those most interested in learning about the Museum’s exhibitions; and the Visionary Track is for those who are interested in everything (and who also have a philanthropic heart).

If you are not yet a Museum member, please join us and enter a world of both unique and broad perspectives on music making. And if you are already a member, we thank you and also ask you to help us expand our musical family! So here’s a sweet deal that we hope will be music to your

3

ears: If you refer a friend and they become a first-time member, or your friend renews an expired membership, you will receive three extra months on your own membership—regardless of the level or track—for FREE! You will also receive four additional free visitor passes.

But wait, there’s more. (Think we’ve been watching too many late-night TV ads?) Did we mention that the deal also relates to gift memberships? Just because the holiday season is over, doesn’t mean you can’t still give a museum membership as a gift! There are still birthdays, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, summer solstice… you get the idea. And you get the same benefits when you buy a gift membership for a new member: three extra months and four additional passes.

It’s simple, but if you have questions or would like more detailed information, don’t hesitate to contact Alisa at 760.

304.5820.

Learning, Listening and Visionary Tracks TO

SUIT

INDIVIDUAL

PREFERENCES

exhibition exhibition

What Music Means to You When we launched our current special exhibition What Music Means to Me last December, we weren't quite sure what reaction to expect from our visitors. After all, it’s the first special exhibition we've ever done (in 16 years!) that does NOT focus on an instrument type or instrument family. Instead, as many of you already know, this exhibition includes… well, quite a hybrid of things really. (Read more in “About the Exhibition” below.) For now, let’s just say that the exhibition is about inspiration and participation—and designed to be a catalyst for conversation.

And what a reaction we’ve had! The conversation has been both stimulating and memorable—and continues with incredible energy. From our young third-graders to our many adult visitors, the responses have been as varied as the type of visitor. Are there any connecting threads? Patterns? I think we can safely say that music helps us know ourselves better and helps us know others better. And that music provides a sense of community—a sharing of experiences. (Just look to the right!)

The exhibition continues through August 30, 2015. We hope you will add your voice by leaving your testimonial online at www.museumofmakingmusic.org/musicmeans, or by coming by the Museum when you’re in the area. After the exhibition closes, we will be developing a publication to commemorate the project—to share many of the stories we received, and most importantly, to keep the conversation going.

About the Exhibition What Music Means to Me is a multifaceted project launched by Richard Rejino to raise awareness of the benefits of music in education and in the quality of our lives. Combining his original photography with personal testimonials, Rejino documents and shares the profound impact that music making has on individuals from diverse backgrounds at various stages in life.

The Museum of Making Music was inspired by Rejino’s work, and created a special exhibition using the words and images captured by Rejino and testimonials gathered from Museum friends and visitors. A “living” exhibition, visitors have the opportunity to add their own voices—in writing, audio or video —to the exhibition by responding to the simple question: “What does music mean to me?”

Music means everything to me — through it, I have found my best friends.

I have found passion and joy. I am happiest when I am playing, reading or listening to music.

Some people have math, science, literature, medicine or law. I have music. It’s a way to organize the world that makes sense to me.

People’s emotions, successes, hardships, and history all concentrated in one art form.

I learn so much about myself when I am releasing my own thoughts and playing as when I’m listening to the music and message of others. I play trumpet in band and orchestra, and that has given me direction in high school, and seeing the impact that the music we play has on our audiences is truly remarkable. If it wasn't for music, I wouldn’t be nearly as proud and confident as I am today.

It means the difference between Sometimes it takes that one son a song for every emotion and ev 4 it makes you feel. Sing a song, h

I don't know if I would be here today if I hadn’t discovered music exhibition early in my life. I grew up as an only child of two alcoholic parents, so listening to, practicing, and playing music was my only escape and essential to my survival. While I was still in high school, I became a professional musician, and 40 years later, I still appreciate the emotional impact of a great piece of music and how it has the power to accentuate or transcend any situation. I always tell people that music saved my life, and I firmly believe that with all my heart and soul.

To me music means Music is my escape. I believe that fun and joy. It’s exciting music cultivates and embodies and inspirational. I think it’s a great hobby. I am the essence of human emotion.

8 years old and love my electric guitar For me, music is how I cope with and would love the chance to get a drum emotional situations and truly express set. I would use all my myself, even when I don’t know how spare time practicing I feel. Friends will come and go, but until I was a total expert. I love music!

music will always be there for me, Music is an energy that moves me from opening a door to allow me to my inside. The beat of the sound, the vibration of the energy, moves my forget all of the negative things body and spirit. I hear it, feel it, move with it in life and live happily. from a deep, glorious, happy inner place.

music makes me happy

I started playing guitar when I was about 12. I’m 78 now.

We had our first band on stage when I was 16. A top 40 dance group—5 guys, me on guitar and vocals... Music has been my friend for 65 years. The happy, the sad, the difficult times—it’s always there for me.

n a good day and a bad one. ng to make you smile. There’s very type of day. Bad or good 5 a tune and feel alive. hum

Music…. is beautiful and giving and never asks for anything back, just your love and your soul.

And once you finally give in, it just swallows you whole and captures your heart and won’t let go.

in their own words

Let’s Hear it for T.E.C. ( T E C H N I C A L E X C E L L E N C E + C R E AT I V I T Y ) The Museum of Making Music, a division of the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation, highlights and celebrates the history of the music products industry and the people who make, sell, use and play musical instruments, products and gear. This year, we had the great honor to play a small part as co-presenter at the 2015 NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame awards at the annual NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The TECnology Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to honor and recognize audio products and innovations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of audio technology. Inductees to the TECnology Hall of Fame are chosen by a panel of more

than 50 recognized audio experts, including authors, educators, engineers, facility owners and other professionals.

George Petersen, currently editor of FOH (Front of House) Magazine is the driving force behind the awards.

The 2015 Inductees (YEAR OF THEIR CREATION IN PARENTHESES)

• 3M Scotch 100 Recording Tape (1947) • Sony C-37A Microphone (1955) • Fender Rhodes Electric Piano (1965) • Electro-Voice RE20 Microphone (1968) • ARP 2600 Synthesizer (1970)

Fender Rhodes Electric Piano (1965)

Propellerhead Software “Reason” Music Software (2000)

ARP 2600 Synthesizer “There were two compact analog synthesizers that came across in close succession. The EMS Putney made in the UK and the ARP 2600. They both had the most wonderful manuals (the ARP 2600 manual was written by Jim Michmerhuizen) that began explaining how sound was created and how it could be manipulated and reproduced. It was pure audio physics for the layman, and I was so grateful for the work and the generosity that went into both books. On the ARP 2600, I used one of the suggested patches to mangle the sound of my electric guitar into the main spine on “Who Are You.” It was a huge sound—hard to believe it came out of a little suitcase. These two compact synths were breakthroughs for me, creating the basis of my synth education as

well as helping me make great, new-sounding music.”

Pete Townshend of The Who Excerpt from a letter written to Way Out Ware’s Jim Heinz

SIA Acoustics SMAART Audio Analysis Program “Sam (Berkow) has made incredible technical contributions to our industry. Sam created aspiration in the minds of mixers and systems engineers to grasp the physics of what was going on. Software like this will not tell you how something sounds, it won’t tell you if something is good or bad, but it is an ultra-powerful weapon to help you discern why something sounds the way it does. That is a very, very powerful tool in our world. The beauty is that in the hands of the qual6

education

• Otari MTR-90 24-Track (1979) • T.C. Electronics 2290 Digital Delay (1985) • SIA Acoustics “SMAART” Audio Analysis Program (1995) • Empirical Labs “Distressor Compressor” (1996) • Propellerhead Software “Reason” Music Software (2000) Too technical?? Well, these ARE going into the TECnology Hall of Fame after all! And yes, some of these items are for the real insider technophile, but we bet you’ve heard of 3M Scotch Recording Tape and the Fender Rhodes Electric Piano! Listen to what others, like Pete Townshend, say about the importance, impact and genesis of these groundbreaking products.

3M Scotch 100 Recording Tape (1947)

ARP 2600 Synthesizer (1970)

Some of the products that were inducted into the TECnoHOF are on display in the Museum.Look for them during your next visit!

ified, it doesn’t blur creativity. It brings it into sharp focus.”

Robert Scovill Award-winning engineer who has mixed over 3,000 events and worked with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Matchbox Twenty, Prince, Rush, Def Leppard and many more

Empirical Labs “Distressor Compressor” “The review in Mix Magazine (thanks to George Petersen), allowed us to buy the parts for the first 7 orders that came in. Anybody that’s ever made anything knows that having money to buy parts is really necessary.”

David Derr Founder of Empirical Labs

7

Propellerhead Software “Reason” Music Software “Propellerhead’s new piece of software called Reason took off like crazy. And this was in a time when virtual instruments weren’t really the norm. It set off a complete revolution. It allowed people to make music on laptops and desktops, and access sounds and textures and beats and amazing parts of making music that normally nobody could afford.

George Petersen Editor, Front of House Magazine TECnoHOF presenter and host

Sony C-37A Microphone (1955)

Electro-Voice RE20 Microphone (1955)

5790 ARMADA DRIVE CARLSBAD CA 92008

NON-PROFIT ORG U . S . P O S TA G E PA I D PERMIT NO. 245 CARLSBAD, CA

June 14 June 25

May 15 Deborah Henson-Conant Friday, May 15, 2015 @ 7PM Deborah Henson-Conant is a GRAMMY®-Nominated recording artist and the world’s premier electric harpist. She’s known for her high energy shows, her evocative singing voice, her fusion of music and theater—and for transforming the classical concert harp into a "Street Harp"—a powerful, fully electric instrument one-seventh the size of a concert harp.

www.museumofmakingmusic.org general info 760.438.5996 tickets 760.304.5844

Learn to…BUILD & PLAY the Dulcimer!

Saturday, June 14, 2015: 1 PM to 4 PM Join us for this special "Learn To" work­shop led by Joellen Lapidus, a pioneer of contemporary fretted dulcimer playing, songwriting, and instrument building. Using pre-cut parts, you will learn to build your own instrument and then play several songs!

The dulcimer celebration continues later that evening with a performance by Joellen Lapidus and her trio followed by a screening of the film “Hearts of the Dulcimer.”

Danny Green & Leonard Patton Quartet Sunday, June 25, 2015 @ 2 PM San Diegan Danny Green has garnered a reputation in the jazz community as an emerging artist whose music is simultaneously familiar yet fresh, blending jazz, Brazilian, Latin and classical elements. Leonard Patton studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and has used his sultry, soulful voice to make a name for himself in the local jazz scene. The quartet includes electric bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm. design : leah roschke, studiografik

THE MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC, A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT INSTITUTION, IS A DIVISION OF THE

FOUNTAION 8