Maine Memory Network

Of Note: Maine Sheet Music

Of Note: Maine Sheet Music features captivating covers of original sheet music along with stories about Maine connections to the songs. Before people had easy access to popular music from records, radios, and the internet, they played songs of the day on instruments at home, using sheet music purchased at music stores. Iconic Maine subjects like lobsters, pine trees, and winter were perfect for lyrics sung by luminaries like Rudy Vallée of Westbrook, and intricate artwork of Maine’s landscape graced the sheet music covers.

Music in Maine - Music Education

"Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen…"

Music in Maine - Music stores

"1895Belfast Historical Society Music stores well instruments and sheet music for customers, and serve as a meeting place for musicians."

Music in Maine - Country Music

"I have always enjoyed most genres of music, but country music appealed to me the most. What really captivated me were the stories told (some true…"

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"Shaker Music Shaker Music Click to learn more about Shaker life and music Established in 1783, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester…"

Music in Maine - Bluegrass Music

"… MAINE Click to learn more about BMAM Bluegrass music—acoustic music played on banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and bass—originated in southern…"

Hermann Kotzschmar: Portland's Musical Genius

During the second half of the 19th century, "Hermann Kotzschmar" was a familiar household name in Portland. He spent 59 years in his adopted city as a teacher, choral conductor, concert artist, and church organist.

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"Music Makers Music Makers instruments Click to see more Music Makers Music makers in Maine make instruments, create music in their…"

Music in Maine - Community Music

"Community Music Music makers in Maine make instruments, create music in their communities, and honor heritage."

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"Sheet music Eliza Wadsworth sheet music, 1798Maine Historical Society Before printers made songbooks and sheet music widely available, people…"

Music in Maine - MAKE

"Use the navigation tool on the left to explore more of the exhibition. The First Music of Maine Hand drum by James Eric Francis, Sr., Old Town…"

Music in Maine - HEAR

"… changed home entertainment from people playing instruments to people listening to recordings. Evolving from hand-cranked Victrolas to automatic…"

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Music in Maine Music is something we share as humans—non-verbal forms of storytelling and expressions of beauty and emotions through sound."

Music in Maine - PLAY

"PLAY Watching musicians sing and play music in public is an important communal experience for the performer and the audience."

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"Inspired by national tv shows featuring teens and music like American Bandstand, Astor’s performance skits included music, dance, and comedy routines."

Music in Maine - Radio Cowboys and Country Music

"… English folk songs, Scots-Irish fiddle and dance music, sacred music, and banjo and blues from formerly enslaved Africans."

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"Fifes are a small woodwind instrument commonly used in military bands because the high pitch sound carries over long distances, even during battles."

Music in Maine - Drum, Stockton Springs, ca. 1840

"Lane manufactured and sold umbrellas and musical instruments at 92 Court Street in Boston from 1820 to 1844, specializing in bass drums for militia…"

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"… School Bands Most Maine schools did not have instrumental music programs until the early 20th century, so children often learned to play…"

Music in Maine - Rock and Roll, Punk, and Elvis

"… 1960s jazz music led to several improvisational instrumental tunes such as Alley-Pre-A-Toric, I Tried to Stop but Erupted, and Land of Cotton."

Music in Maine - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

"… inches in diameter and is associated with music teacher Theodore Ingalls King (1854-1906) of Portland and Washington D.C."

Music in Maine - Opera, Orchestras and Stages

"Opera houses hosted lectures, plays, live music, and movies, with many hosting actual operas, such as The Merry Widow in Lewiston and Faust in…"

Music in Maine - Drumsticks, 1861

"Drumsticks, 1861 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Franklin C. Kimball (1844-1912) used these drumsticks while serving…"

Music in Maine - Kimball Drum, ca. 1860

"Kimball Drum, ca. 1860 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Written on the top of the head of this drum is, "Frank C."