Musical History in Siouxland, National Music Museum, Vermillion, SD

When I attended a brown bag performance at the National Music Museum recently, I spent a little time afterwards walking around and looking at exhibits. It is amazing that some of the instruments on display which covers 2 or more centuries were crafted and played before the United States was even its own sovereign nation.

 

Former University of South Dakota alum, Tom Brokaw even did a voice over on a video about the museum’s collection for the public to view.

The depth of the collection is truly astounding, especially to think they are housed in the Siouxland area, at the University of South Dakota Vermillion campus. Instruments from many cultures and nations. And there are times when people expert and proficient in the field of music come to talk about the various instruments. I have not been fortunate enough to attend any of talks, but hope to in the future.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

There are instruments spanning centuries in exhibits at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are instruments spanning centuries in exhibits at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. The guitar at left is circa 1670 by Domenico Sellas of Venice, Italy and the one at right is by Matteo Sellas also of Venice, Italy circa 1640. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A cittern from Urbino, Italy, circa 1550 in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A harpsichord from Naples, Italy circa 1530 in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The King Henry the IV by Antonio and Girolamo Amati of Cremona, Italy circa 1595 in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A reed organ with an ornamental facade of pipes by Mason & Risch and from Worcester, MA circa 1895 dominates a hallway exhibit space at the back in the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Children check out an instrumentation room with Asian and Indonesian instruments in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A peacock adorned stringed instrument in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Various drum instruments from Asia in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A variety of stringed instruments from Indonesia on exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A replication of a violin workshop in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A bust of Charles Gerard Conn who was the founder of the American musical instrument manufacturer of C.G. Conn company explained in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Not only “serious” instruments but others as well used by the Korn Kobblers are on exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Various saxophones including a porcelain one on exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Visitors listen to recorded information about an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A concertina by Ora di Guerrine Aldo & Co of Castelfidardo, Italy, circa 1958-1965 in an exhibit at the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)