Voice Gift Guide 2007

Dreaming of a green Christmas
Think global...Shop local!

Page 7
HMT
Dave Eisner and his House of Musical Traditions

photos and story by Vic Augustine

David Eisner

David Eisner has been in the business of bringing traditional and folk music to a dedicated community of enthusiasts since 1972.

“House of Musical Traditions occupies a local music niche” he said. The combination of market forces and the international aspect of the Washington area created a point of focus in which HMT could form. It is a place where musical traditions from all over the world can find a home and local artists can find support.

Embedded in the community of traditional and folk music is the issue of authenticity. It is inherent in all aspects of  the relationships between musicians, the music they play and the instruments they use.  Not only are the roots of the music important but so is the quality of the instrument which for many, is intrinsically affected by its provenance.

More choices than you can shake a drum stick at

Eisner’s mission is to make inventory choices for HMT that will best support that earnest agenda. At the same time he wants to provide such a variety of instruments that anyone being summoned by a muse can find a voice, regardless of how many nickels they’ve got to rub together.

The store at 7040 Carroll Ave offers instruments from all over the US and the world which are “exotic, unusual and vintage”.  There are song books and recordings from an equally broad field but the inventory of recordings carries special emphasis on local musicians.

The most challenging aspect of the future, according to Eisner, is to make sure that the young “do not lose sight of the traditions of music” and that they will increasingly respond to the value of its practice.

Even though the demands of HMT have been rigorous, Eisner has gone yet another mile, founded the Institute of Musical Traditions (IMT), and serves as its president. IMT is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional music and folk arts and produces a year round series of concerts.

Additionally, he has found time over the years to build a reputation as a sound engineer and won a WAMA award for that work in 2005.

You can learn more about the House of Musical Traditions www.hmtrad.com and Institute of Musical Traditions at www.imtfolk.org

Pages < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fashionable Fair Trade 1	Eco-friendly producers 2	Safe toys & workers' rights 3	Planet Silver Spring 4
Don't get malled! 5	A women's boutique with a conscience 6	David Eisner and his House of Musical Traditions 7	Think independent business

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