The World’s First Global Music Instrument Museum to Open in North Phoenix

This weekend, the Musical Instrument Museum’s first guests will line up to experience music in a setting quite unlike anywhere else. The two-story, 190,000-square-foot structure features a recording studio, performance hall, restaurant, store, courtyard, and classroom, in addition to its collections. The five “Geo-Galleries” will each focus on a different world region, with a sixth gallery, the Artist Gallery, showcasing the instruments of musical icons. By the end of 2009, the organization had reportedly amassed more than 12,000 instruments for its installations.

One of the museum’s goals is to represent every genre of music from every country in the world in a state-of-the-art, interactive learning environment. Visitors will be allowed to touch and play certain instruments, as well as participate in workshops demonstrating how the instruments are made. Galleries also boast wireless technology, high-quality sound systems, and high-resolution video screens that will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the sounds produced by the instruments in the best possible atmosphere.

The Musical Instrument Museum is located at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix (480) 478-6000