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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Take A (Music) Stand

n the world of music, there are many instruments you could choose functional and works of art. It is such decorative music stands that are
to play. However, deciding on an instrument is not the only choice often prized by the world’s
Ineeded to be made. For an orchestra, for example, comfortable top musicians and music
seating is important. So is a conductor’s baton. Equally important is the enthusiasts. Other music
sheet music each member has to read. We can all agree on those things, stands stand out less for
but one piece of equipment used at one time or another by most musi- being decorative and more
cians is often overlooked: a music stand. Let’s take a peek at just what for being unusual in terms
makes some music stands really stand out as not just tools of the trade, of design.
but also as works of art.
The Jefferson
What a Music Stand Is Music Stand
The basic definition of a music stand is a stand that holds sheet As you may know,
music. Such a stand allows a musician to easily read the music necessary Thomas Jefferson was the
to play his or her instrument. However, when we peek a bit further third President of the
into the subject of music stands, it is clear that there is more to music United States. He also held
stands than a simple easel of sorts. They come in several different styles many other political titles
and designs. and was the primary creator
of the Declaration of
The Birth of Music Stands Independence. What you
The birth of music stands is somewhat debated. Nobody knows may not know is that he
exactly when the first one was invented. However, some believe they was also an inventor. One
of the things he invented
got their start in Ancient China. When reviewing a timeline, it was not was a stand that was, at least
until the 1300s when they started to become popular – and not in at first, thought to be a
China. In fact, Swiss and German citizens are the ones known for pop- music stand.
ularizing the use of such stands at that time. In reality, he used the

unique stand to hold up to
Standard Music Stands five documents at once. It Thomas Jefferson Revolving Stand
Today’s typical music stands used during major concerts are fairly revolved, allowing him to easily access each of them as needed.
basic and uniform in nature. They are usually metal and black. Sometimes those documents were letters or reference work or books.
Typically, they have adjustable tilt angles and heights. Often, they Nevertheless, many stands of the type he invented have been used to
have matte finishes to make them as inconspicuous as possible hold sheet music that may be excessive in length that required the
during performances. music to be spread across several surfaces. Also, a group of musicians
such as a quartet would use such a stand together as a group without
the encumbrance of having
four separate stands.
Jefferson never patented the
design, allowing it to be
reproduced many times .

Wharton Esherick
Music Stands
Wharton Esherick
wooden music stands are
quite popular. Esherick,
who passed away in 1970, is
known for starting the
Music desk, Mid-century American studio furniture movement
in the United States. He
also designed music stands,
Music Desks including a double design
As the name implies, a music desk is a desk that holds sheet music. capable of holding two
Unlike a music stand, it does not have a pole or pedestal. Nor does it pieces of sheet music at
have a tripod-like shape. Instead, it is essentially a table with a sloped once. Such stands are
top, much like a cookbook stand works in today’s kitchens. Pianos known as “duet” stands.
often have built-in music desks. Despite being popular
for how they look,
Utilitarian Versus Decorative/Unusual Music Stands Esherick’s stands are often
It is important to make a distinction between utilitarian and considered rougher than
decorative music stands. All music stands serve the same purpose, but others in terms of their
designs. Because he dabbled
some do so in a purely functional way. Others are designed to be both Esherick Music Stand
in several different mediums
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