Community Calendar

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

On Sunday, April 2 at 2:00 PM, Joan Wells and Kris Simon will bring to the Betty Strong Encounter Center an entertaining living history performance about the cattle drives and the origin of western music through their "Cattle Trails and Songs of The West.” Admission is free, with reception to follow.
The duo begins by singing the songs of the early day cowboys. Joan talks about life on the trail and how the songs were later published in cowboy song books. Wells talks about the evolution of western music and how the silver screen cowboys popularized many western songs. Different styles of music, influenced by cowboy music, began to develop.
The Center comprises a private, non-profit cultural complex built and sustained by Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD).

This series is sponsored by and named in honor of Dr. Robert E. Dunker, president emeritus of Western Iowa Tech Community College and founder of The Institute for Lifelong Learning.

This series is about people whose actions have impacted the world. These individuals made national news with perseverance, persistence, and sacrifice. Today the reason behind their fame is obscured by the results. We know they succeeded or failed. How can we learn from their example if we don't know what they did, or why they did it? Historian Russ Gifford will introduce us to the person behind the headlines, their motives, their methods, and what traits allowed them to exercise leadership and achieve their fame!

John D. Rockefeller commanded the U.S. petroleum industry in his lifetime. But his development of management techniques that revolutionized American business contributed much to the growth of America’s industrial dominance. His greatest legacy today is his contribution of more than $550 million to philanthropic causes... What other things should we know about Rockefeller? Join Russ Gifford as he defines the leadership qualities of perhaps the richest man ever, and see if you think he deserves the attention

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

Program will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 1:00 PM at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Recommended for 4-6th grade students. Free program: registration is required.

Register at: siouxcitylcic.com/kids/programs/
Using google earth, follow the expedition’s trail. Stop at the twelve stops to view the brief videos. Discuss after each stop, answer review questions. Option: Create group sample project.

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.

National Music Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year with Special Exhibition

The National Music Museum (NMM) is celebrating 50 years in the making with a special exhibition “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973–2023).”

Since its official inception in 1973, the NMM has collected musical instruments and related materials spanning five centuries. That is 500 years of history, tradition, innovation, and music-making! “As Good as Gold” features some of the treasured instruments that shaped the NMM during its first 50 years of history, and explores how the museum’s holdings have evolved from the founding collection to recent acquisitions.

Five exhibit themes highlight collection periods in the history of the NMM:

1. “Filling the Gaps” describes the instruments obtained just after the donation of the founding Arne B. Larson collection. Several early woodwind instruments and a harpsichord collected during this time shows the NMM’s intention to fill in the gaps in the European collection, particularly in the areas of 16th- to early 19th-century instruments. Included in this group are a 1793 basset horn from Prague; a ca. 1720 oboe from Amsterdam; an original Adolphe Sax tenor saxophone; and a 1659 Flemish harpsichord from Antwerp.

2. “Once In A Lifetime” is the phrase used when the famed Witten Collection of early Italian stringed instruments became available in 1984, and NMM Director André P. Larson seized the opportunity to secure the collection – and museum’s identity as a major cultural institution. Today known as the Witten-Rawlins Collection, the selection of instruments in this group includes the Amati “King” cello; a Stradivari violin and guitar; and the 1767 Antunes piano.

3. “Crescendo” represents the period of growth between the 1980s and 2000s, as the museum homed in on strategic opportunities to collect. Instruments included from this era include a C. G. Conn saxophone exquisitely engraved by master Stenberg; a natural trumpet from Nuremberg workshop founder Haas; a Grenser clarinet and a Naust transverse flute, among the oldest European woodwinds presently at the NMM.

4. “Utley and Bates” showcases the two major collections acquired at the turn of the century—the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection of Brass Instruments (1999) and the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (2000).

5. “Fine-Tuning” represents the philosophy of sustainable collecting that the NMM adopted in the new century. The selection of instruments in this final group include one of the last well-documented Amati violins; a rare 16th-century English viola da gamba, and an even rarer 16th-century Italian polygonal virginal, both with well documented provenance history; and finally, a Native American rattle and drum from contemporary Indigenous artists.

Beginning on January 20, 2023, “As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years” will be open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain open through October 2023.

In addition to the special exhibition, the NMM museum store and NMM Live! concert series will also be in full swing this spring and summer. More information can be found on our Facebook page, or online at nmmusd.org.