Tonyow is the Cornish language (Kernewek) word for ‘Melodies’. This project, thanks to a grant from the Myner Trust, follows a pilot project we carried out in September 2024 to understand if any of our musical instruments could still be played. We worked with a group of instrument repairers and makers to determine the playability of the instruments and what work may need to be sensitively carried out.
Following the pilot we constructed a project around undertaking the advised conservation and repair work, to record the playable instruments so people can hear what they would have sounded like, or to find those with similar period instruments to play music when ours have been found beyond repair. We will also take this opportunity to revamp our Music section.
Our primary focus will be getting rare antique instruments playable including a crocus wood flute, approximately 1840-60; a brass ophicleide (bass instrument, pre-cursor to the modern tuba); cornets and bass horns; a rare mid-19th-century flutina (pre-cursor to the melodeon and accordion) two modest ‘squeeze boxes’ namely a small piano accordion and an concertina; a dulcitone piano. We also have a barrel organ that has not yet been assessed. This organ originated from the former Camborne Museum whose collection we inherited in 2005. There are also several drums and some percussion like cymbals and a triangle in the collection. We hope to work with local bands such as Helston Town Band to bring these into the mix.
Recording
Building on our work with Tom Adams of Headphone Story we will record the instruments being played, including making recordings of traditional tunes that would have been played in the era the instrument was popularly used.
