Banned Books Week is September 25-October 1. During that time, come check out our Banned Music exhibit and see music-related items from our library that were banned throughout history. This year, our exhibit focuses on Banned Band Music. Get it?
Our exhibit focuses on 3 examples of censored band music. The first is Max Roach’s jazz band album, We Insist- Freedom Now Suite. Filled with political activism, it was banned in South Africa for its criticism of a government-led massacre. The next work is Paul Hindemith’s concert band piece, Symphony in B Flat. This work was banned by the Nazi regime during its crusade against so-called degenerate art. The third censored work is John Philip Sousa’s The Wets and the Drys. This satirical piece imagines an interaction between 2 groups of tee-totalers and drinkers. A dry county in New Jersey was not amused by Sousa’s plan to perform this piece.
Our exhibit is part of a nationwide event, Banned Books Week, which annually celebrates the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those considered unorthodox or unpopular. For more information, check out http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/.
It is our policy that all library users have access to materials that are complete, UNMARKED, and well-organized. Therefore, in accordance with the UH Libraries Code of Conduct, and as an extension of our Score Clean-Up and Maintenance Project, the Music Library has instituted a fine for each item that is returned to the library with writing and/or markings created by the borrowing patron.
HOW DOES THIS POLICY AFFECT YOU?
- BEFORE you bring an item to the circulation desk for check-out, carefully inspect the score and all parts for markings or damage.
- Alert Music Library Staff to all markings or damage
- Pre-existing conditions will be noted, and you will not be held responsible for them when you return the item.
- For scores returned to the Music Library with markings and/or damage that has NOT been noted by library staff:
- A fine of $10 will be applied to your account to cover the cost of erasing and repairing the item
- If the markings and/or damage are irreparable, you will be charged a replacement fee for the item
The UH Music Library is closed due to Hurricane Harvey. We reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 9am-6pm. We begin regular hours again on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Thank you for your understanding.