Facing South
Keyboard Instruments in the Early Carolinas
Thomas Strange, Patrick Hawkins, and Kunio Hara
Facing South: Keyboard Instruments in the Early Carolinas is both the title of this book and the title of the inaugural exhibit at the brand new Carolina Music Museum in Greenville, SC, which opens in March 2018. Facing South tells the story of the harpsichord and piano in early South and North Carolina (1700 to 1850) from the point of view of the owners and performers who used them. Rather than form a comprehensive story of the many builders and their technical creations, it tells the story of the southerners who used such instruments. The book and corresponding exhibit also confront the reality of slavery and the human “property” often sold alongside these instruments at auction.
About the Authors
Thomas Strange holds a BS and PhD in Physics, as well as a BFA in Art Studio, from the University of South Carolina. He is the Artistic Director and Curator of the Carolina Music Museum. Kunio Hara is an associate professor of music history at the University of South Carolina. He holds a Ph.D. in musicology from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and M.M. and B.M. degrees in music history and clarinet performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
