MIM Unveils D’Addario Exhibit
On Feb. 19, the Musical Instrument Museum will open its newest exhibit, and the first in the museum focused solely on musical instrument accessories. The D’Addario & Company exhibit will take guests behind the scenes for a fascinating look at the making of musical instrument accessories including strings, reeds, drumheads and drumsticks.
D’Addario & Company has been an ardent support of MIM since prior to the museum’s opening and John D’Addario Jr., president of the D’Addario Foundation, is an active member of the President’s Cabinet at MIM. The idea for the exhibit began more than a year ago and MIM’s curatorial team worked with D’Addario & Company to create a unique display that would delve into the art of string making. Members of MIM’s team traveled to company headquarters in Farmingdale, N.Y., to shoot footage of the factory and conduct interviews to be used in the exhibit.
“Rarely do people talk about the accessories needed for many instruments to make beautiful music,” said John D’Addario Jr. “We are inspired by the fact that MIM chose to honor this integral element of music making, and we are very proud to have the story of our family-owned business represented.”
The exhibit features video interviews with Jim D’Addario, John D’Addario Jr. and John D’Addario III, exploring a family history of string making that dates from 17th-century Italy. The D’Addarios also highlight manufacturing breakthroughs over the years and demonstrate methods in use today. Their company has expanded beyond strings into other instrument accessories and additional interviews take guests through the reed-making process and drumhead construction.
Objects on display include a string-winding machine from 1917, raw materials showing various stages of accessory production and finished products presented on musical instruments from MIM’s collection. Numerous photographs round out the exhibit, conveying a sense of D’Addario’s rich history and ongoing passion for innovation and excellence.
“Without high-quality accessories, the expressive potential of fine musical instruments is greatly diminished,” said Dr. Cullen Strawn, MIM curator. “It was a natural choice for us to create this exhibit, which emphasizes the importance of these accessories while simultaneously telling the story of a company that has long been a true leader in the industry.”
The D’Addario & Company exhibit joins other MIM exhibits focused on companies that have made significant contributions to the art of making musical instruments, including Steinway, Fender and Martin, among others.
