A CALL FOR SERVICE IN AURORA

Aurora's downtown museum exhibition showcases the 'Colony Music and New Acquisitions' until June 30

Rare instruments from musical groups which performed in 19th Century and early 20th Century Aurora, as well as sheet music and other historical artifacts, are displayed at the Aurora Colony Museum.

Photo by Bryan Nanista

An ornate music box, which dates back to the 1870s, is among the items currently on display that show the history of music in Aurora.

Photo by Bryan Nanista

Members of the original Aurora Colony were known for their simple, communal lifestyle.

They tended to their farms, strove daily to live their Christian faith, and concerned themselves very little with material possessions or decorative gestures.

According to the book, "Aurora, Their Last Utopia," some Aurorans spruced up their otherwise drab homes with hand-woven rugs, or a father might occasionally go out on a limb and buy a ribbon for a daughter's dress. The original colonists also were known to make their own spirits and sweet wines, as well.

And, before, during and after the existence of the original colony, Aurorans enjoyed playing and listening to music. In fact, the colony had two bands, three choirs and a host of citizen musicians, all of whom added song to daily life in early Aurora.

"Music was a very important part of colony life," said Joan Jacobs, executive director of the Aurora Colony Historical Society. "One way for them to integrate into society was through music."

Some of the history of Aurorans' proclivity for music is now on display in the "Colony Music and New Acquisitions Exhibit" at the Old Aurora Colony Museum in downtown Aurora.

On exhibit are handwritten compositions and songbooks containing waltzes, marches, religious hymns and slow polkas known as schottisches.

There are also photographs of some of the musical groups in 19th and early 20th Century Aurora, which included the Aurora Band, the Pie and Beer Band, and the Giesy Orchestra. Jacobs said the organized groups were all male, but female colonists often sang and played instruments at home or during social gatherings.

Also part of the exhibit is a collection of original colony instruments, including a cornet, tuba, ophicleide - the forerunner of the saxophone - baritone, flute, piccolo, and clarinet.

Stringed instruments, among them a guitar, cittern, cello, hammer dulcimer and a lute or mandolin, also are on display, as is a handsome 1870s music box.

Most of the instruments are other items in the exhibit were donated or are on loan from Aurora residents, many of whom are descended from original colonists, Jacobs said.

"As always, we are very fortunate that a great number of colony descendants still live in the area," she said. "We're very appreciative and very grateful for those people."

The "New Acquisitions" part of the current exhibit includes textiles, trunks, clothing, quilts and several pieces of furniture acquired by the museum.

The entire exhibit, which will run through June 30, was organized and set-up by Jacobs, Elizabeth Corley, the museum's volunteers coordinator, and a coterie of dedicated volunteers.

Admission is $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for seniors and AAA members, and $1.50 for children ages 6-17.