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This catalog site is designed so that it can be searched by keyword, collection, type of instrument, and date. It contains information on instruments in the possession of Duke University, with the exception of modern practice and performance pianos.
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Contact Info
Dr. Brenda Neece, DPhil (Oxon.)
Curator, DUMIC
Box 90665
Durham, NC 27708-0665
USA
Tel: 919-660-3320
Fax: 919-660-3301
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News and Events
Please Touch!
DUMIC is thrilled to announce the arrival of the Charles J. Warner Collection.
Curator Brenda Neece traveled to Tucson, AZ last month to pick up this wonderful collection of modern replicas of medieval through baroque instruments. This generous gift was was given to Duke by his family in his memory—many, many thanks to them.
It took several days for Neece to drive the collection back to Durham from Arizona. The instruments are still being labeled, cataloged, and photographed, but have all been examined by expert luthier John Pringle as well as by Neece.
“Perhaps the biggest strength of this collection,” says Neece, “is that students and community members can play the instruments. At last I can say to visitors, ‘Please touch the instruments!’” Most of the collections that comprise DUMIC are playing collections as much as the historic materials allow. But this is a balance; in some cases instruments are both rare and fragile, making them unsafe to play without risk of their destruction. Neece has plans to use the Warner collection in many outreach projects, taking instruments into local schools, inviting visitors to the museum, holding workshops, and encouraging student and community performances on them.
Already there has been significant community involvement in the Warner Collection; luthiers at High Strung Violins & Guitars are donating their work to get some of the instruments into playing condition. DUMIC is extremely grateful to the wonderful folks at High Strung for their involvement and support in this project. Curator Neece says, “Everyone at High Strung is extremely supportive of our educational mission at DUMIC. They have a similar mission and do wonderful work with local schools, teachers, performers, and other community members. Even if you don’t play a string instrument, I encourage you to visit their shop.”
If you would like to get involved in the Warner Collection activities, please get in touch with Neece (bneece@duke.edu). There are opportunities for teachers, students, and performers of all levels. There are also opportunities to help support this great collection; you can become a sponsor of the collection by helping DUMIC cover the costs of the rental truck and the travel across the USA as well as opportunities to sponsor the maintenance of the instruments.