Bob Eliason
Friday 9:30 – 11:30 AM
January 13 through March 3, 2006
D.O.C. House
An active musical instrument making industry existed in early 19th century America that is little known even to musicians and music historians. Of particular interest to us is the fact that some of it occurred right here in the Connecticut River valley as close as Fairlee, VT, and Winchester, NH. For most sessions there is an article-length reading about one of the early makers. Classes will include additional materials, discussion, and examination of examples or slides of instruments. For one session we will discuss the acoustics of wind instruments. For another, a visit is planned to the modern woodwind shop of Thomas Prescott, world-renowned maker of recorders, for a first-hand look at woodwind making techniques.
The class will also be referred to many public collections where early instruments can be seen, concerts where they can be heard, and books and articles about them. Participants are encouraged to share their knowledge of related musical instrument history and to bring instruments of interest.
BOB ELIASON was, for many years, Curator of Musical Instruments at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. While there, he developed the Museum’s collection of early American wind instruments, created a display area to exhibit them, and directed a concert series featuring 19th century instruments and music. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.M., 1955); the Manhattan School of Music (M.M., 1959); and the University of Missouri at Kansas City (D.M.A., 1968).
