Summary
Music stand used by members of Ugo Ceresoli's Mokambo Orchestra during the 1950s. The Latin-American band Mokambo was formed by Italian-born brothers Ugo and Bruno Ceresoli in the early 1950s. The band, consisting primarily of Italian-born performers, performed at dances and receptions around Melbourne for over thirty years.
Physical Description
Wooden music stand in curved vertical 'wave' shape. It has a flat base with a piece of timber which swivels out to form a cross base support for stand. At the rear is a sheet music rest with hinged flap that lifts and a piece of hinged timber that comes down to rest in one of a series of 3 slots to support whole music rest in angled positions. The whole stand is painted white with 'Ugo Ceresoli's Mokambo' inscribed across the front in black paint.
Significance
These music stands are rare examples of material culture from music band ensemble activity which tend to be ephemeral and not survive. They enable the representation of diverse popular performance in Melbourne in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly significant for the culturally-specific composition of the band members, yet broad popular appeal of the style of music. The stands also represent the importance of dance and music events as ways to bring communities together.
More Information
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Collection Names
Museums Victoria/Italian Historical Society Co.As.It Collection, Ugo Ceresoli & the Mokambo Orchestra Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Ugo Ceresoli, Italian Historical Society (Co.As.It), 07 Mar 2008
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User
Mokambo Orchestra, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1950s
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
495 mm (Width), 70 mm (Depth), 800 mm (Height)
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Maximum dimensions
493 mm (Length), 60 mm (Width), 812 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation.
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References
IHS holds a collection of 8 photographs of the Mokambo band performing in Carlton, Fitzroy and South Melbourne, mostly in the 1950s; a couple during the 1960s and 1980s. The collection also holds a band gig advertising poster, Brunswick Town Hall, 1964. Article in Italian Historical Society Journal (Vol. 15 2007) by John Whiteoak, 'Mambo Italiano: Ugo Ceresoli and His Orchestra Mokambo' [in supplementary file]
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Keywords
Italian Communities, Italian Immigration, Music Band, Musical Performances, Musicians, Performances
