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Galleries
Stearns staff members have identified groups of related items that are particularly interesting. Use any of the links below to view a gallery.
- Stearns Tour
- The York Brass Collection
- Instruments as Functional Objects
- Bells - Ancient to Modern
- The Venerable Lake of Honey
- Fantastic Forgeries
Found 39 result(s)
 | sandza, sansa, bant'you, mbira, kisaanj, sanza Stearns #2631 | Africa Congo or Angola | This Mbira was given to Leo Sarkisian in Kinshasa, Congo, however, he believes that it could have been made in Angola. It has twenty metal tongues and three bottlecap ("Cherry Plum") buzzing resonators. There are two somewhat tight finger holes drilled on the right side with a carved area to permit to the right thumb access to the seven higher pitched tongues. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2604 | Africa | In 1958, these collapsable, two-piece brass Hausa Horns were given to Leo Sarkisian by Hausa musicians in Kaduna (Northern Nigeria). Horns are like these are commonly found in Nigeria. See Stearns #2605. |
 | Stearns #2605 | Africa | In 1958, these collapsable, two-piece brass Hausa Horns were given to Leo Sarkisian by Hausa musicians in Kaduna (Northern Nigeria). Horns are like these are commonly found in Nigeria. See Stearns #2604. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2606 | Thailand | This Mouth Organ was a gift to Leo Sarkisian from Howard Hertzog, a USAID officer stationed in Bangkok. See Stearns #2607. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2607 | Thailand | This Mouth Organ was a gift to Leo Sarkisian from Howard Hertzog, a USAID officer stationed in Bangkok. See Stearns #2606. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2608 | Romania | These Panpipes were given to Leo Sarkisian by and American-Romanian employed by the US Government who was stationed in Africa. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2609 | Middle East Pakistan | Leo Sarkisian first went to Pakistan in the 1950s as part of his job with Tempo International where traveled with the Radio Pakistan Director, Mr. Salim Gilani. Mr. Gilani gave this Vina to Leo during his first visit in 1953. It used to have a baseball-sized oval glass to slide over the strings. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2610 | Middle East Pakistan | Leo Sarkisian first went to Pakistan in the 1950s as part of his job with Tempo International where traveled with the Radio Pakistan Director, Mr. Salim Gilani. Mr. Gilani gave this Sitar to Leo during his first visit in 1953. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2611 | This Rebab is played with a plectrum. This is a gift of Leo Sarkisian. Leo recorded Tawakal(?) Khan playing this very rebab in 1953; Leo considers Kahn to have been the best rebab player of all time. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. | |
 | Stearns #2612 | Africa Conakry, Guinea | This Kora comes from Conakry, Guinea and is played by the Malinke people (an ethnic group that extends south to Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone). Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2613 | Morocco | This instrument comes from Morocco, and however, the donor, Leo Sarkisian, has seen identical instruments in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan. It is also similar to string instruments found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | fiddle Stearns #2614 | Europe Serbia? | This is a one-string Fiddle with chiwara neck and bow. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | turtle shell folk lute Stearns #2615 | Africa Morocco | This Gunibri with a tortoise shell body was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. He collected it in a small shop in Casablanca during one of his visits during the 1970s. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | halam, xalam, ngoni, khalam Stearns #2616 | Africa Guinea | This Konni was given to Leo Sarkisian by Mama Niang, Guinea's best konni player during the late 1950s to early 1960s. This instrument has numerous names throughout Africa: Ngoni in West Africa and Mali, Konni in Guinea, Halam or Khalam in Senegal, and Xalam in the Gambia. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2618 | Asia Hong Kong | This bowed instrument of the Chinese Huqin family of stringed instruments was given to Leo Sarkisian by Pete Fisher (a USAID employee) who visited Hong Kong during the late 1950s. It has a carving on the back of its gourd that depicts plowing (man and ox) and large-scale flowers. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2619 | Africa Liberia | This is a hand-held version from Liberia of the larger wooden Slit Drum that is played on the ground; it can sound two notes. It was collected by Leo Sarkisian in Liberia where he worked and recorded for the Voice of America (1964 to 1969). Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | drum Stearns #2620 | Africa Liberia | This Drum was collected by Leo Sarkisian in Liberia. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | sistra Stearns #2621 | Africa Guinea | This Fulani rattle was collected by Leo Sarkisian in the village of Labe Fouta Djallon region in Guinea during his recording work there from 1959 to 1963. The makers are known as Fulani, they are travelers and traders. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2622 | Africa West Africa | These Ankle Bells come from West Africa, and can also be found in other southern African countries. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2623 | Africa West Africa | These Ankle Bells come from West Africa, and can also be found in other southern African countries. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | shekere Stearns #2624 | Africa Liberia | This Sasa is a gourd with an exterior shell-beaded net to actuate sound production. The net is tied at the base of the gourd. It is played by tugging the string downward. See Stearns #2625. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | shekere Stearns #2625 | Africa Liberia | This Sasa is a gourd with an exterior shell-beaded net to actuate sound production. The net is tied at the base of the gourd. It is played by tugging the string downward. See Stearns #2624. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2627 | Africa | This pair of Ankle Rattles is made of seeds. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2628 | Africa | This pair of Ankle Rattles are made of kola nuts. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2629 | Africa | This is a large kola nut Rattle. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | xylophone Stearns #2630 | Africa Guinea | This 19-note Balafon (xylophone) was presented to Leo in 1960 by Guinea’s finest Xylophonist in the National Ensemble, a descendant of the musically renowned Diabate Griot tribe. Diabate can be heard playing this instrument on a U of M digitized recording available as part of the Voice of America radio archives. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2638 | Africa Liberia | This Goblet Drum was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2633 | This Goblet Drum was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. | |
 | Stearns #2634 | This Goblet Drum with five metal beaters and one wooden beater was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. | |
 | talking drum Stearns #2635 | Africa Liberia | This Kalungu (Talking Drum) comes from Liberia, this type of instrument is not used much anymore except in Nigeria. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | kalungu, talking drum Stearns #2636 | Africa Nigeria | This Dundun (Talking Drum) with bells and an angled wooden beater comes from Nigeria. A strap used to tighten the drum heads is missing. This type of instrument is not used much anymore except in Nigeria. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2637 | Africa Liberia | This Footed Drum from Liberia was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2632 | Africa | This large Footed Drum was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2640 | Africa Cameroon | This metal horn is from the Bamoun tribe in Cameroon; it was given to the Stearns Collection by Leo Sarkisian. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2641 | Middle East Pakistan | This bowed Dilruba was a gift to Leo Sarkisian from Salim Gailani, Director of Radio Pakistan in Karachi, 1953. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2642 | Middle East Persia (Iran) | This Persian Santur was given to Leo Sarkisan by Mohamed Qureshi, an Iranian musician and student in Washington, D.C. in 1949. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | kanoon Stearns #2643 | Middle East Egypt | This Egyptian Kanoon was presented to Leo Sarkisian in Cairo in 1966. He was told by the musicians who gave it to him that it was made by a famous, well-known instrument maker. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | tambur Stearns #2645 | Middle East Afghanistan | Leo Sarkisian collected this Tambura in the northern town of Mazari Sharif in 1954. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
 | Stearns #2647 | Asia China | This San Hsien was a gift to Leo from a former USAID director stationed in Asia during the 1950s. Leo Sarkisian is Voice of America (VOA) Broadcaster and Writer in Washington, D.C. and former Director for Ethnic Recordings, Tempo International, Hollywood, CA. In Africa, Leo is known as VOA's Music Man. |
