National Association of Music Merchants Oral Histories

by SOHA News, posted in Museum, oral history
National Association of Music Merchants, a lifelong member of SOHA, has an outstanding collection of oral histories. Here are some samples of the interviews made available online at: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/all
David Angress
David Angress has spent his career in the technology and specialty products markets, holding several senior executive positions in retail, manufacturing and installation segments at companies including Guitar Center, Harman, and Sound Genesis.

Petra Woodfull-Harris
Petra Woodfull-Harris recalls taking lessons on the recorder at the age of six, followed by the piano three years later. She enjoyed the idea of improving her skills and of expressing herself through music, which is a driving force in her passion today. As the sales and marketing manager for Barenreiter, the German music publisher, Petra connects music materials to teachers a
Buckwheat Zydeco
Buckwheat Zydeco redefined and popularized the Cajun Zydeco movement in America and around the World. In doing so, he brought positive attention to the accordion. The instrument’s reputation had suffered greatly beginning in the late 1960s; however, pockets of creative and innovative musicians fought to change that. One such performer was Clifton Chenier.

About the Library & Resource Center

The NAMM Oral History program is unique, unlike any other collection in the world. The heart of the collection is the depth of its narrative that covers innovative creations, the evolution of musical instruments, the ever changing world of music retail, as well as our collective quest to improve music education around the globe. Oral History participants have come from 46 different countries, 49 U.S. states and were born between 1903 and 1988. This collection is our journal, our own way of chronicling ourselves and our community—the community we so eagerly embrace at the NAMM shows and so proudly celebrate throughout the year. This library of video interviews, now 3,000 strong and always growing, contains the story of our industry told by those who helped to shape it and have watched it expand and develop through the years.

We hope you find what you’re looking for right here, but if you have any questions, please contact us at 760.438.8001 or via e-mail at dand@namm.org.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ORAL HISTORY LIST

NAMM Corporate Video

Find out more about NAMM!

The Museum of Making Music is a division of NAMM Foundation. Visit them in SoCal at:

5790 Armada Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

Office: 760-304-5824

www.museumofmakingmusic.org

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Be sure to view their exciting list of upcoming events at: https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events and view their fantastic exhibits.

Accordions: Expanding Voices in the USA
Accordions: Expanding Voices in the USA
December 13, 2018 – August 31, 2019

Just over 60 years ago, accordions were at the forefront of our musical landscape. With annual sales topping a quarter of a million instruments, they were seen and heard on stages, in stores, and in classrooms across the country. But musical tastes shifted dramatically by the end of the 1950s, and, within 10 years of this incredible high, accordion sales and interest plummeted almost to the point of disappearing. Today, accordions and accordionists are making their voices heard again!

The Museum of Making Music’s special exhibition, “Accordions: Expanding Voices in the USA,” takes a close look and listen at the current state of the accordion across the country, highlighting stories and recordings from some of the players pushing it forward. Find out where the accordion could be headed next and even play one for yourself – you may well become part of the instrument’s future.

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