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TO CONGRATULATE THE CAROLINA MUSIC MUSEUM OF GREENVILLE ON ITS RECENT GRAND OPENING AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR A FLOURISHING FUTURE TO THIS OUTSTANDING NEW ADDITION TO THE CITY'S CULTURAL LANDSCAPE.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Carolina Music Museum of Greenville held its grand opening in late March of this year and that the museum's hundreds of years' worth of musical history, in the form of centuries-old pianos and harpsichords, is striking a chord in the citizens of Greenville; and
Whereas, the museum's founding artistic director and curator, South Carolina native Tom Strange, is a physicist with a passion for antique pianos. Tom's fascination with classical music began in college and eventually led him to start collecting the vintage instruments. He even taught himself to restore them and has become a renowned expert in the field. His collection of more than forty vintage pianos and harpsichords constitutes the core of the new museum's exhibits; and
Whereas, over the years, Tom has rescued forgotten instruments found in barns and other places around the countryside of South Carolina and the Southeast, as well as in New York City and overseas. He found one instrument that used to belong to his own family; and
Whereas, the museum's story began in early 2017 when Tom, along with fellow Greenville arts advocates Steve Bichel and Beth Lee, set out to create the leading center for preserving and celebrating the musical narratives of the Carolinas and the Southeast through historically and culturally significant instruments. The trio's collaboration resulted in the founding of the Carolina Music Museum and birthed a program of educational programs, exhibits, and performances by distinguished artists for the furtherance of their vision; and
Whereas, until the museum opened this spring in the hull of a circa-1930 Coca-Cola bottling plant in the city's Heritage Green arts district, Tom stored his forty-plus European and American pianos and harpsichords at his home in nearby Easley. He routinely invited nationally recognized classical musicians to play the instruments, which date from 1570 to the mid 1800s, including an 1845 Broadwood grand piano played by Chopin. The museum will continue the tradition, bringing in classically trained South Carolina musicians, including such pianists as David Gross, Fabio Parrini, and Marina Lomazov, to tickle the vintage ivories; and
Whereas, for the delight of the general public, one of the instruments at the museum displays a sign that reads "Play me." The sign means what it says; you may sit down and try it out; and
Whereas, grateful for the delightful new cultural experiences it brings to this great State, the House takes great pleasure in wishing the Carolina Music Museum much success in the years ahead and encourages all South Carolinians to patronize and enjoy its offerings. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Carolina Music Museum of Greenville on its recent grand opening and extend best wishes for a flourishing future to this outstanding new addition to the city's cultural landscape.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Carolina Music Museum.
This web page was last updated on June 27, 2018 at 4:13 PM