Dr Matthew Stephens and Nicole Forsyth prepare to film the House Music at Your House webinar at the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. Photograph by Holly Schulte for Sydney Living Museums.
Talking about Music at Your House
SLM donors and members were recently invited to join a webinar broadcast from the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, where they heard an animated discussion about SLM’s new online program ‘House Music at Your House’.
Created in response to COVID-19, SLM launched in August House Music at Your House with the support of The City of Sydney. Members of the public have been invited to join leading musicians online in their homes to create new performances of songs discovered at historic Rouse Hill Estate. Hundreds of music scores lie unknown and unplayed in the house and SLM has dusted off a selection of some of the post popular hits from the 19th century for a new hearing.
Watch violist Nicole Forsyth, creator of the project, with baritone Dr David Greco in discussion with Dr Matthew Stephens, curator of the recent Songs of Home exhibition. They talk about how the project was developed, what songs they have found and what it means for 21st century music makers exploring tunes that were enjoyed at home almost two centuries ago.
About the author
Dr Matthew Stephens
Research Librarian
Matthew Stephens is research librarian at the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. He is particularly fascinated by early book, musical instrument and sheet music collections in NSW and the stories they tell.
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