Are there people visiting the exhibits? He/she should go to the exhibits and talk with the visitors, see how they would feel about music. And I agree about having control over the volume for tours. Or better yet, have the director walk in with a "boom box" playing the kind of music that s/he'd like to hear, see the reaction. Or - try it as a "special event" - promote it as such. I have an easier time understanding use of music in an art gallery - especially one themed after a particular culture, theming the music to match the culture. I still think we are far too afraid of quiet in our society. Cindy Boyer Director of Public Programs The Landmark Society of Western New York 133 S. Fitzhugh St. Rochester NY 14608 (585) 546-7029 ext. 12 [log in to unmask] Fax: (585) 546-4788 The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and Planning for Tomorrow www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/> Confessions of a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog <http://landmarksocietywny.blogspot.com/> Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258> / MySpace <http://www.myspace.com/landmarksociety> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lisa Chastain Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 12:47 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Music in exhibits Concerning the music in exhibits, our director has decided its just too quiet and wants to bring some 'life' inside. Lisa Curator From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scher Thomae, Dawn Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 12:24 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Music in exhibits The Milwaukee Public Museum has had associated music in its African, Latin American, North American Indian, Pacific and Asian galleries since about 1964. If it's not too loud, our surveys have found that people enjoy it and some actually dance to the music, hum or tap their feet while in the galleries. If tours are given in the area where music will be playing, however, there should be an easy system for it to be turned on, off or placed at low volume. If, however, the music has nothing to do with the exhibit, not sure what the point is since music is usually placed in exhibits to create a mood. Is this the director's reasoning for adding music or is he concerned that its too quiet in the museum? Dawn Scher Thomae Milwaukee Public Museum From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lisa Chastain Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 10:31 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Music in exhibits Listers, My director has put to me a request for 'regional music' in all of our exhibits. Now, as I curator I balked at the idea of breaking themes of my galleries with random music that has nothing to do with the exhibit ie. A military exhibit or a doctors exhibit. I was wondering of your opinions concerning music in galleries/exhibits, do you have music, have you rejected the idea and why? Any opinions would be helpful! Thank you! Lisa Curator of Collections and Exhibits ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).