Kind of morbid, but, has anyone made plans for their instrument collection after their death? My husband and I are both in our late 60’s, with hopefully many years ahead of us. We have talked about what to do with his model train collection and workshop tools, as well as my plant collection. Our kids know what to do with almost everything else if we pass at the same time. Most items are already divided into categories with their history written down so the family knows what they have before they dispose of it, LOL. Useless but pretty-trash or donate, expensive but no sentimental value-consignment store, no real value but passed down through the generations, etc.
However, four years ago we moved to a musical desert in terms of early music and Celtic players. I know no one anymore who would like the collection of recorders and whistles I have accumulated. I have been thinning the herd but there are some I wouldn’t part with in this life time, such as my first recorder, bought in 1973.
So any ideas? I have lost contact over the years (decades) with folks who might have wanted them.
No plans for after death, but we are beginning to cull. Flutes and whistles are easy; I just list them here or send them to the IFS. We’re fortunate to live within driving distance of the House of Musical Traditions, where we’ll begin consigning things like guitars, dulcimers, and harps once we get our asses in gear. We had grand plans for learning the Portuguese guitarra and lever harp when we retired, but it ain’t happened. I can’t play the dulcimer anymore due to arthritic hands. Because there’s no neck, it’s not like a guitar in terms of stress on the finger joints.
I miss HMT, I live almost three hours from there now. For the present I am down to trying to find homes for a student violin, a bodhran, and an ornate mountain dulcimer with wooden pegs for tuners. That leaves, whistles, recorders, one mountain dulcimer, one hammer dulcimer and a bowed psaltery. Another cull of recorders will be coming soon.
Yes… but then realized: no one is going to take the time to specially find a place for all my various hobby equipment, and I can’t really expect them to. I’m sure all of my instruments, dance costumes, art supplies, sports equipment, craft supplies etc. are going straight to the nearest thrift store (if not straight to the nearest dumpster), and at the end of the day… while alive-me feels that will be a shame (probably will not be used in the way they are intended/by aficionados), I can’t be mad about it because dead-me is not the one faced with a whole houseful of stuff to clean out and if whoever needs/wants to get it done as quickly and easily as possible… well, I can’t really blame them.
I do have instruments I need to get rid of (not due to end of life, but just because I need the space, at some point may need the money, and they deserve to be played), but haven’t a clue how.
The opening post prompted me to put a note in the envelope holding my will, saying that if no one wants to faff about selling my small herd of whistles, C#/D accordion, and other bits, the local Comhaltas branch would be the best home for them.