By Alex Davidson
The Museum of Sound Recording is set to open its doors Saturday in Richmond Hill to borough residents and present its first exhibit on the development of recording techniques in the audio industry.
Dan Gaydos, one of the founding members of the museum, said he hopes the exhibit, called “Making Tracks,” will showcase in detail the developments of how the recording of music changed from before to after World War II. He said some visitors to the museum will have an opportunity to experience first-hand how to record tunes.
“There is an entire contingent of the audio industry that is very excited about this,” Gaydos said. “Visitors will be able to witness productions and listen to the different formats of recording and learn about who did what when.”
The Museum of Sound Recording is located in the old RKO Keith's theater in downtown Richmond Hill at 117-09 Hillside Ave. It originally opened on March 22, 1929 as part of the Orpheum chain of cinemas started by Benjamin Franklin Keith and his partner, Edward Franklin Albee.
A partnership between Gaydos, Bernard Fox and Bob Wooldridge, owner of the RKO Keith's Theater in downtown Richmond Hill led to the museum's creation. Gaydos said aside from the exhibit, he and his partners will be working with Richmond Hill High School to ensure the museum has an education component in its programming.
The new exhibit will be housed on the second floor of the former vaudeville theater that has been partially restored to foster the museum's development.
Visitors to the MOSR will be able to see the development of recording techniques on record, tape and digital formats during the past five decades, Gaydos said. He said the development of tracks, which are each independent vocal or instrument stripes of sound that together make one song, made for more sophisticated and accurate technology.
“There is a lot here and it is full of surprises,” Gaydos said. “It is something people will want to come back to.”
“Making Track” will be on view at the museum four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students, senior citizens, and children under 12 years of age.
Staff engineers will run tours through the museum and help demonstrate equipment on site. Gaydos said visitors will have opportunities to give donations to the museum and become members.
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156
