2021.08.06
Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments -Activities against the COVID-19-
The Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments opened its doors in 1995 as the first Japanese public museum of its kind. It is located downtown for easy access by public transportation.
The museum has a good collection of over 1,500 items acquired from across the world. One of its unique features is that much of the collection on display is not in a showcase. This allows visitors to observe the instruments at very close range and even play some of them.
Since its opening, the museum has semi-regularly held a variety of special exhibitions in addition to the permanent display. It has also extended its arms to initiatives such as lecture concerts, mini-concerts, talk events, seminars, workshops and even mobile pop-up exhibits, etc.
Thus, the museum helps residents get a sense of the beauty, cultures and values of different countries across world through music and its instruments.
Here are our new challenging initiatives at the museum under the public restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Virtual museum of musical instruments
In May 2021, the museum opened its online version, by which visitors look around virtually from home. It’s one of the city’s responses to the pandemic because residents are restricted from visiting museums and other facilities. They are losing their opportunity to come across musical instruments from around the world that they have never seen before. The virtual version of museum can appeal to those who can’t really visit in-person, or people who live far away from Hamamatsu. We aim to extend the boundaries of music and its instruments to more people this way.
For more information:https://mp.feelin9.com/tour/18b4c59a
2. Mini-concerts with musical instruments from around the world
Music performances in front of large audiences have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Musicians have very few chances to show their skills in performances. The museum has countered this situation by offering its indoor space and setting up mini-concerts with unique musical instruments. Bringing their own instruments onto the stage, performers introduce the features of instruments and then play for audiences. There has been more positive feedbacks about this initiative from musicians than expected. The concerts, which began in July, will be held mostly on weekends until August 2021.
For more information: https://www.gakkihaku.jp/en/
