JUNOs exhibits showcase Hamilton’s musical legacy and digital future

Artifacts belonging to Bruce Cockburn, renowned conductor Boris Brott, local blues great Jackie Washington and award-winning singer/song-writer Ian Thomas are featured in a JUNO week exhibit drawn from materials contained in the McMaster University Library archives.

Artifacts belonging to local blues great Jackie Washington and renowned conductor Boris Brott are among the items featured in a JUNO week exhibit drawn from materials contained in the McMaster University Library archives.

BY Erica Balch

March 10, 2015

Ever heard the classically creepy tones of the theremin? Or seen the groovy purple suit worn by award-winning singer/songwriter, Ian Thomas? If not, now’s your chance.

In honour of the JUNOs, McMaster University Library has put together two unique exhibits that pay tribute to Hamilton’s musical past and showcase the creative work emerging from the maker-space at the Lewis & Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship.

A suite belonging to Ian Thomas is just one of the items on display as part of a JUNO week exhibit. A suit belonging to Ian Thomas is just one of the items on display as part of a JUNO week exhibit.
A suit belonging to Ian Thomas is just one of the items on display at the Hamilton Public Library .

Exploring Hamilton’s musical legacy:

In celebration of JUNO week, McMaster University Library’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections have mined our holdings to create exhibits featuring prominent Hamilton-based or JUNO-winning musicians.

The display includes original artifacts and awards, sheet music, vinyl albums, diary entries, artwork and photographs belonging to Bruce Cockburn, renowned conductor Boris Brott, local blues great Jackie Washington and award-winning singer/song-writer Ian Thomas.

“Hamilton has a very rich musical heritage, reflected by these outstanding musicians. The University Library is proud to be home to their archives and welcomes this opportunity to celebrate the JUNOs by showcasing their careers,” says Wade Wyckoff, Associate University Librarian.

The exhibit is currently on display on the main floor of the Hamilton Public Library, Central Branch. A version of the exhibit can also be found at LiUNA JUNO House (28 James St. N. Ground Floor).

“Making” music at the JUNOs:

The Theremin (pictured) is just one of the fun and creative electronic instruments contained in a maker-space display being held in the lead-up to the JUNOs.
The  creepy-sounding theremin (pictured) is among the featured instruments from the Ruth and Lewis Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship. Photo by Bernd Hutschenreutler, 2005.

Some may know the theremin as the instrument used to create the other-worldly soundtracks in films like The Day the Earth Stood Still and It Came from Outer Space, but very few of us have had the opportunity to play one.

The Lewis and Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship is bringing this and other fun and creative electronic instruments from our maker-space to the JUNOs.   The public will have the opportunity to build, and experiment with a variety of electronic instruments including a “Fruit Salad Piano,” miniature synthesizers, and the classically creepy sounding Theremin.

“This is a playful way to introduce people to technology that otherwise might seem a little daunting,” says Dale Askey, Associate University Librarian. “We hope the public will drop by and experiment with the instruments and be inspired to use the technology to start making music of their own.”

This exhibit can be found at the Blame it on Hamilton event on Friday March 13th and at the Junior JUNOs taking place on Saturday March 14th.

 

Read CBC Hamilton’s story on McMaster University Library’s Display  at the Hamilton Public Library:

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