David,
Speaking from the point of view of someone who has on occasion
organized one of these things, noise is a big problem that the
presenters choose to ignore.
The "softies" have to form a group, ask for a separate room, and have
breakout rooms.
This is true , however on this occasion it could be quite easly organised.
Some had their quiet booth. George Stevens had his stand in the side
corridor (very quiet and good acoustics!). There was no problem in hearing
his lutes (I've played some of them). The corridor was long enough to fit
more lute makers.
I think they should all just suit up in armor and duke it out. The
bagpipes will win, but they win anyway.
Even better--lutes, harps and viols should organize their own event.
This is an excelent idea to be able to compare several lutes from different
lute makers in one place. I am looking forward to it.
Jaroslaw
dt
At 10:17 AM 11/14/2009, you wrote:
All that Dana says, as usual, is true, but it's also true that even at
it's beginning there was not much of a lute presence at the BEMF
exhibition. I was there as an employee, moving in Hubbard
Harpsichords
and manning the booth. Of course, I don't have total recall, but I
remember being disappointed in the dearth of (finger-)plucked
offerings.
Best to all,
Chris.
>>> <[email protected]> 11/14/2009 11:04 AM >>>
Unfortunatly, there are some harsh economic realities involved in
renting
a table at events like the BEMF. You have to man the table, staff
doing
so need accommodation and food, and are not producing work in your
shop.
If your shop is selling smaller instruments such as recorders and
bagpipes
you have a reasonable expectation of paying off the table, and can
look
forward to some increased interest in the shop in months to come. If
your
product is something more substantial, valued at the price of a used
car,
then its harder to find customers. Its hardest for the periodical or
society to recover the cost of a table, eve when manned by volunteers.
IF you dont have a sale or two the table rent is a hefty uncompensated
business expense. Then you have the time spent not building, the
aching
back from crashing on a friends floor, or the expensive hotel room;
and
the food moneys eating out.
Retail stores selling early music and instruments have product that
will
appeal to thin wallets - new music, a tin whistle or plastic recorder,
perhaps a reed or some lapping thread; as well as more substantial
items
for show or (rarely) actual sale to stimulate future interest.
There are some few folk make a tour of the summer 'renaissance'
festivals,
and large events like the pennsic war (www.SCA.org, www.pennsic.org);
but
I suspect for the lutenist its events where the focus is on playing
lute
in ensemble where you have the best chance to survey instruments.
--
Dana Emery
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References
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