Plantation trumpet, A
Maker
Michael Swinger
Date1993
Place MadeColumbia, South Carolina, United States, North America
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsnone
DescriptionOrgan-pipe alloy (tin and lead); straight conical tube with integral silver-plated brass trombone mouthpiece.
In Antebellum southern United States, the plantation trumpet was used to call the slaves to and from the fields. The plantation trumpet survives to the present day in religious camps, for example in Shady Grove, South Carolina, where it summons worshipers, and serves for wake-up and night calls.
This particular instrument was one of five plantation trumpets constructed in 1993 by Michael Swinger. The instrument is modeled on the Indian Fields Campground plantation trumpet. An example was borrowed from Mr. Shelly Johnson (1905-2009), plantation trumpet player at Shady Grove/Black Paradise Camp Meetings from 1957 to 2007.
DimensionsHeight (including mouthpiece): 1395 mm
Tube length (without mouthpiece): 1355 mm
Bore diameter (intitial, terminal): ca. 14-100 mm
ProvenanceGiven to donor by Craig Kridel, Columbia South Carolina, 1997.
Published ReferencesKlaus, Sabine Katharina. Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 1: Instruments of the Single Harmonic Series (Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2012), pp. 57, 270.
Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999
Object number07194
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