Inman E. Page Library at Lincoln University and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the Missouri Humanities Council to host New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition of America’s roots music. New Harmonies will be on view beginning January 23, 2010 and continuing through March 6, 2010.

Through a selection of photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music will explore the distinct cultural identities of American roots music forms. The exhibition will examine the progression of American roots music, as rich and eclectic as our country itself.

Along with the Smithsonian exhibition, there will be locally sponsored exhibits, presentations and performances occurring throughout the six week period. Much planning and coordination will be necessary in making this project a success.

All interested persons are invited to attend a planning and strategy meeting for our community’s presentation of the New Harmonies exhibition. The meeting will be held at 7PM Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in Room 317 of Inman E. Page Library on the Lincoln University campus.

Anyone interested in participating in the New Harmonies exhibition may contact Mark Schleer or Alicia Pigg at the Lincoln University Archives, ph. (573) 681-5514 email: archives@lincolnu.edu or Elizabeth Briscoe- Wilson, University Librarian, ph. (573) 681-5501.

The Missouri Humanities Council New Harmonies webpage: http://newharmonies.missourihumanities.org/

UPDATE December 21st:

Hello all!

Just to let everyone know, if you’ve had a glitch with the email address: archives@lincolnu.edu , it has been resolved.

We have been busy the last few weeks with our projects. Here is an update on the New Harmonies exhibition:

Alicia Pigg, a researcher at Lincoln University, has been busy assembling data and relics for the display of local music history that will accompany the New harmonies exhibition. If you have any suggestions regarding materials for the display, please contact Alicia at PiggA@lincolnu.edu

Joyce Harkins, of the MO Blues Association, is coordinating the education committee. If you can give Joyce a hand, please contact her at davoice101@aol.com

Julie Pappenfort, from the Share the Arts program at Lincoln, has volunteered to help with programming. If you have ideas, suggestions, or would like to assist her, contact Julie at PappenfortJ@lincolnu.edu

The exhibit arrives on the Lincoln campus January 6th at around 1PM. In the following weeks, it will undergo a bit of refurbishing at the LU Shipping and Receiving facility by the Smithsonian staff to prepare it for the 2010 leg of the New Harmonies tour. The exhibit will be transported to Page Library on January 20th to prepare for the installation workshop.

The installation workshop for the exhibit is January 21-22 at Page Library on the Lincoln campus. If you are interested in attending, let me know. There will be a docent training session for those who are interested. Docents are the guides who assist visitors to the exhibition. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in serving as a docent, please contact me.

Our kickoff program is January 23 at 7PM in Langston Hughes Theater in Martin Luther King Hall on the Lincoln University campus. Julie has scheduled a Gospel ensemble and is also in the process of booking a blues performer for the opening. If you would like to assist in the presentation please let us know.

We still need plenty of volunteers and ideas from programs to make this event a success. We are hoping to have programs at least twice a week throughout the six week run of the exhibition.

Again, thanks to all for your support and have a happy holiday season!

1-18-10
Latest Word:
We have had a lot going on in the past few weeks and I would like to thank all our volunteers for making our opening event one that will be filled with a lot of fun and a great educational experience. Our presentation includes a program of blues and gospel music. Our event has been moved to Richardson Auditorium on the Lincoln campus and is scheduled to start at 7PM on Saturday, January 23rd. Admission is free and the public is invited. The exhibit opens the same day in Room 317 Page Library at Lincoln University from 3-7PM. Come early for the exhibit and stick around for the opening event.

We are still looking for volunteers for docent/tour guides for the run of the exhibit. Exhibit hours are 9AM-4PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9AM-8PM Tuesdays and 3-7PM Sundays. A docent workshop will be held Friday January 22nd at 10:30 in Room 317 Page Library. The workshop is recommended but is not required. If you know of anyone interested in being a docent or volunteering for please contact archives@lincolu.edu or 573-681-5514 for details.

There will be a feature article regarding the exhibit in the Jefferson City News-Tribune Escape section Thursday January 21st. Look for it.Thank You!




1-26-2010
Greetings everyone! The New Harmonies opening event on Saturday was both educational and entertaining. Chump Change and Robert Houston & True Dedication were outstanding and we thank them. Extra special thanks goes to Julie Pappenfort for coordinating the opening event. She put in many hours and a lot of effort. Great job Julie!
Carol Harsh, the MOMS director from the Smithsonian, and Patricia Zahn from MO Humanities Council were on the Lincoln University campus last week to conduct an installation workshop attended by the hosts of the 2010 leg of the New Harmonies tour. Thanks to Carol and Patricia for all your help! Folks from all over the state were in attendance getting instructions on how to set up the exhibit and exchanging ideas regarding programming and funding. Good luck to them on hosting New Harmonies this year!
The exhibition is up and running in 317 Page Library and looks fabulous. We also have our local exhibit which was designed and coordinated by Alicia Pigg who did a marvelous job. Alicia has featured many facets of Missouri’s musical heritage in her presentation and we have several artifacts that are quite interesting.
The exhibit is open Monday through Friday 9AM-4PM, Tuesdays until 8PM and Sunday 3-7PM. We are still in need of volunteers for docents/tour guides to serve as hosts during weekday mornings and afternoons. If you or anyone you know are interested please contact the Lincoln University Archives at 573-681-5514 or archives@lincolnu.edu
The Missouri River Region Library will be hosting a night of Roots Music on Film as part of their ongoing film series in February and a performance by a local dance group is in the works. Also, we are planning a Sunday gospel concert for late February. Details of the events are coming soon!
If you have information or ideas for New Harmonies programs during the next 5 weeks please contact us at 573-681-5514 or archives@lincolnu.edu

Thanks to all!
Mark