Dr. Margaret Downie Banks

Curator of Musical Instruments
Professor of Museum Science
National Music Museum and
Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments
University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069

Send E-mail to: mbanks@usd.edu

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© Copyright 1996, 2002 by Margaret Downie Banks.
All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this site, including this page and any of the separate pages, may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the express written permission of Margaret Downie Banks.

Education:

B.S. in Music Education, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
M.A. in Musicology, SUNY at Binghamton, NY
Ph.D. in Musicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

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Research Specialties:

The C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company, Elkhart, Indiana

• A Brief History of the Conn Company (1874-present) (text and archival photographs)

• Publications about Conn Company written by Margaret Banks

• Do You Own a Conn Instrument?

  Please Note: Neither I nor the National Music Museum appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the Museum's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

Midwestern American Musical Instrument Manufacturers (particularly those in Elkhart, Indiana) and the Products from 1870 to the present

• Link to The Music Trader's list of serial number lists for woodwind and brass instruments

  Please Note: If you have questions about musical instruments made by companies or makers other than C. G. Conn please consult the National Music Museum website's Frequently Asked Questions page.

  Please Note:Neither I nor the National Music Museum appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the Museum's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

History of Brass Instruments

• Publications about brass instruments written by Margaret Banks

  Please note: Neither I nor the National Music Museum appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the Museum's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

  Please note: If you have questions about brass instruments (other than those made by C. G. Conn) please consult the national Music Museum website's Frequently Asked Questions page.

History and Features of Early Bowed Stringed Instruments including the Rebec, the Pochette (Kit), the Violin, and the Violino Piccolo

• Publications about bowed stringed instruments written by Margaret Banks

• If you think you have a violin made by Stradivarius or another famous violin maker, or if you wish to obtain an appraisal of your violin, please follow this link to the Museum's Frequently Asked Questions page.

  Please note: If you have general questions about stringed instruments (other than those made by C. G. Conn) please consult the National Music Museum website's Frequently Asked Questions page.

  Please note: Neither I nor the National Music Museum appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the Museum's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

The modern Greek lyra (folk fiddle)

• Publications about the modern Greek lyra written by Margaret Banks

Other Interests:

Deltiology (Postcard Collecting)

• List of Categories I Collect

• A Picture Postcard Gallery (click on thumbnail images to enlarge)
  • The Star Spangled Banner, about 1910

  • C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Factory, ca. 1911

  • Old Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota, 1921

  • Old Main and East Hall, USD, ca. 1920

  • Schuster Sisters Saxophone Quartet Endorse Conn Saxophones, ca. 1915

  • USD Library (now National Music Museum), early 20th century

Bridge to National Music Museum Website

Most recent update: May 27, 2002
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