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 - 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 - Sacred Music

"A woodwind instrument, this bassoon disassembles into six pieces for transport. John Parker of London, England made this bassoon."

Music in Maine - MAKE

"… musicians, artists, and craftspeople who make instruments, write songs, and make music in the home and community settings."

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 - 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 - 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 - Country Music

"Their instruments were horns and drums, and their music, for the most part, was the big band dance numbers."

Music in Maine - Music Education

"… children to learn how to play a musical instrument and to perform in front of audiences. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while…"

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"… Thee, and Hark! The Goddess Diana. Longfellow instruments Longfellow estate accounting, Portland, 1836Maine Historical Society Receipt…"

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 - HEAR

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

Music in Maine - Bluegrass Music

"… in 1967 where he manufactured most parts of the instruments from the washers to the bent wood. The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Cox in…"

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 - Community Music

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

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 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 - Music and Television

"Music and Television The Dave Astor Show Click to see more Dave Astor Show photos Dave Astor (1919-2011) produced a variety show in Portland…"

Music in Maine - Radio Cowboys and Country Music

"Radio Cowboys and Country Music Tony and Juanita, ca. 1940Maine Historical Society Country and bluegrass music emerged in the American South…"

Music in Maine - Opera, Orchestras and Stages

"Opera, Orchestras and Stages Click to learn more about Maine's Opera Houses Many Maine towns in the 19th and early 20th centuries had an…"

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 - B-flat fife, ca. 1860

"B-flat fife, ca. 1860 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description This fife was used by John Robbins when he was a drummer in the…"

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 - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

"Drum, Portland, ca. 1854 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Noble and Cooley of East Granville, Massachusetts started…"