"Greetings to all of our BMF supporters during this time of great unease.
I am writing to let you know that we have decided temporarily close the Moogseum, located in downtown Asheville, NC, until March 31, 2020. The closure comes in response to a call for Americans to practice social distancing to help “flatten the curve” of an anticipated widespread Coronavirus outbreak.
Given the critical importance of early self-isolation in stemming the spread of COVID-19, we believe it is our moral imperative to protect our staff, as well as our visitors and our community by temporarily closing the Moogseum to the public. During this time, the work of the Bob Moog Foundation will continue, with our staff working remotely to advance our projects. While the considerations around the spread of the virus remain fluid, we will continue to reassess when we will reopen the Moogseum.
The decision to close the Moogseum comes with considerable financial ramifications. During this time the Foundation encourages you to support its work through donating or other means, explained here.
I thank you all for your support over these many years. We are a donor-driven organization and your contributions have propelled our success, including the creation of the lauded Moogseum. We are grateful to be doing this work together with you.
Wishing you and yours the best of health over these coming weeks,
Michelle Moog-Koussa
Executive Director | Bob Moog Foundation & The Moogseum"
"August 21, 2018 (Asheville, NC) — Marking its twelfth anniversary, the Bob Moog Foundation has announced it will be moving its headquarters to a new space in the heart of downtown Asheville. The new location at 56 Broadway Street will be home to the Foundation’s operations, and the future home of its long-awaited Moogseum.
The Foundation’s offices will relocate to the new space this October, with monthly events and a pop-up Moogseum store planned shortly thereafter. The Moogseum is expected to open in early 2019.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our mission through this new public space,” remarked Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The new location will be an ideal venue for inspiring people through our extensive archives and our varied educational initiatives. Both our offices and the Moogseum will benefit greatly from being part of the vibrant downtown Asheville community, and the millions of visitors that it hosts each year. We look forward to enriching Asheville’s cultural offerings by sharing the legacy of Bob Moog with tens of thousands of visitors every year.”
Since its inception 12 years ago, the Bob Moog Foundation has been a force for science education, historical preservation, and creativity. It has inspired over 10,000 elementary school students with the science of sound through its experiential 10-week curriculum, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, as well as preserving thousands of documents, photos, memorabilia, and a vault of vintage instruments. The Foundation has assisted with numerous historical books, including integral contributions to two upcoming biographies about Bob Moog, and played a formative role in creating the upcoming documentary, Electronic Voyager.
'The Moogseum will represent a convergence of the Foundation’s many ongoing projects, as well as opening the door to a wide range of new possibilities,' concluded Moog-Koussa. 'We are truly excited for the opportunity to share the Foundation’s efforts with a wider audience.'
The 56 Broadway location currently houses the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, which is moving to a new location at 120 College Street."
"Every year we endeavor to bring you a truly exceptional Minimoog as part of our annual raffle. This year we are honored to offer a gorgeous vintage Minimoog in excellent physical and technical condition, played by the phenomenal Stevie Wonder and signed with his fingerprints, which are affixed to the synthesizer in a brass and plexiglass archival enclosure!
Tickets are $25, 5/$100 or 12 for $200. All proceeds go to benefit Dr. Bob's SoundSchool and the Moogseum (opening in a mere two months).
This is the first time that Stevie has signed a Minimoog, making this a one-of-a-kind offering! Please join him in supporting the Bob Moog Foundation's important work. Purchase your tickets today and help us spread the word so we can make this the most successful raffle to date!"
"Wonder what we've been up to lately? In addition to teaching almost 3,000 students about the science of sound through Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, we've also been working hard to bring the Moogseum to life. We'll have more details soon, but we are still aiming for an opening at the end of May.
The Moogseum will feature two interactive timelines, an immersive video dome, lessons on synthesis for the novice to advanced learner, a re-creation of Bob's workbench, and much more.
As we close in on our goals for this one-of-a-kind facility, we need your help to bring it to fruition. Please consider making a donation to support this effort to bring Bob's legacy to life. Donate here.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our work!"
And Announcing Our 2019 Summer Camps:
"Back by popular demand, we are once again offering our experiential, fun Science of Sound and Science of Synthesis Summer Camps for kids ages 7-13 in the Asheville area.
You can read more and register your child here.
Our camps offer a unique experience for kids learn all about theremins, synthesizers, oscilloscopes, and lots more musical instruments and electronic devices. Many parents of past campers have raved that our Dr. Bob's SoundSchool camps were the best camps that their children had attended. We are proud to offer enriched, innovative, and inquiry-driven camps to so many wonderful children, and to inspire them to engage in science and discovery in their daily lives!"
"Get inspired at the Moogseum with us! One-of-a-kind interactive exhibits share electronic music technology, electronic music history & the science of sound -- and are accessible to all ages: https://moogseum.org/
Our Moogseum, located at 56 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville, NC, USA, is the hallmark project of the Bob Moog Foundation. Come visit this one-of-a-kind immersive, interactive museum where Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy and the science of sound come alive.
"We are excited to welcome Michelle Moog-Koussa to the Beatppl podcast. We will chat about the Moog Legacy, the Moogseum, the Bob Moog Foundation, and Moog synth stuff.
About Michelle...
Michelle Moog-Koussa has been the executive director of the Bob Moog Foundation for the 12 years since it's inception. She has guided the organization through the creation and growth of its hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, which inspires thousands of teachers and young children every year through a 10-week experiential science of sound curriculum. Michelle has also maintained her vision for a Moogseum, a historical and educational center that will house all of the Foundation's projects while encouraging people of all ages to embrace the process of scientific and creative discovery.
"It will serve as a educational, historical and cultural resource to Western North Carolina and the worldwide electronic music community through the following exhibits and facilities:
* An interactive timeline of the life and work of Bob Moog and the many people with whom he collaborated * An archival center where rare documents, including project notes, articles, photos and schematics from Bob Moog’s archives, can be viewed on an interactive LED screen * Several interactive instrument-based exhibits that will allow people the ability to experience the science behind the sound of electfonic music. We envision bays of Theremins hooked up to Moogerfoogers and rows of synthesizers hooked up to oscilloscopes filling our interactive area. A modular synthesis wall is planned as well. * A Young Inventors Lab where children will be inspired to explore electronic music and create their own prototype through our Youth Outreach programs, afterschool workshops and summer camps. * A rotating exhibit space which highlights new innovations in musical instrument interface as well as shared exhibits from other museums. * A 200 seat performance space that will host concerts, lectures, festivals and sound exhibits"
"We are thrilled to announce a very special one-hour virtual Moogseum tour, Sunday, December 13, 2020, focusing on the Moog modular synthesizer prototype and featuring special guest Herb Deutsch, who collaborated with Bob Moog on developing the pioneering synth.
Deutsch, now 88 years old, used the prototype synthesizer to compose for many years, then donated the instrument to The Henry Ford museum in 1982. It is on loan and being exhibited at the Moogseum through December 31, 2020, making this tour one of the last chances to see it in this unique facility.
The tour will explore Bob Moog’s history leading up to his meeting with Deutsch, and will draw from the vast collection in the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Deutsch will then join the tour from his home in Long Island, and share his memories and insights into working with Moog during this crucial moment in music history. He will take questions after the tour.
Tickets are available on a “pay what you can” basis through the Eventbrite. The funding generated from the tour will help support the Moogseum, which was closed for five months due to the pandemic.
The prototype heads back to the Henry Ford at the end of the year, so don't miss this special opportunity!
"The Moogseum is proud and honored to announce its exhibition of the iconic Moog synthesizer prototype, which will begin on August 14thas part of the Moogseum’s grand opening celebration Moogmentum: Synthesizing Innovation, Music, and Creativity. The historic prototype, originally belonging to pioneering synthesist and co-collaborator of the instrument, Herb Deutsch, will be on loan to the Moogseum from The Henry Ford, based in Detroit, Michigan."
"Enter the Mind of Moog will be a golden opportunity to experience a working version of the planned Moogseum as the Bob Moog Foundation will transform the Orange Peel into an educational sonic playground for all ages. Upon entering the venue, attendees will be immersed in an interactive experience guiding them through the work and life of synthesizer pioneer and innovator Bob Moog. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s hallmark project, the Moogseum, to be located in Asheville, NC.
Interactive instrument-based exhibits will be set up to connect attendees to the unique sounds and interfaces that helped make the Moog name a legacy in the worlds of science, music and innovation. Highlights include a “Theremin Tour”, where visitors will be guided by Bob Moog Foundation volunteers to play the early electronic musical instrument in various audio configurations as well as see it used as a video mixing tool, the “Synthesizer Lounge”, comprised of a bay of synthesizers available for attendees to explore and the Moogerfooger Remix Station which will highlight the power of the the Moog signal processing tools. Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPods or other playback devices to remix original music through Moog equipment.
The Interactive Timeline will guide the viewer through specific eras of Moog’s career and document the evolution of the Bob Moog Foundation. The Bob Moog Foundation will unveil a Mini-Moogseum installation to be featured permanently at the Orange Peel. The Mini-Moogseum, a beautiful showcase crafted by Chris Perryman of Domus Aurea Woodworking, will house a small exhibit of the pioneer’s archives, tell the story of his impact on the world of music, highlight his connection to the Asheville community and feature a custom built theremin, designed by Bob’s former student and protege, Steve Dunnington."
Update: the original image I had on top appears to actually be an EMU modular. Thanks to Malte Steiner in the comments for catching it. I moved the image below for reference and moved the image of the current owner Walter Holland on top. I also added an image of Don Preston with the Moog system in 1975.
"We are excited to announce our return to the 2019 NAMM Show with an expanded booth presence celebrating our recently launched endeavor, the Moogseum. We will have two adjoining booths, 10310 and 10409, for the Foundation and Moogseum respectively, located in Hall A, the synthesizer section of the NAMM floor, with our friends from KORG, Casio, and Roland nearby.
As part of our Moogseum exhibit, and continuing our tradition of featuring unique, expansive Moog modular synthesizers, the Moogseum booth will be hosting a historic 1967 modular system previously owned by both Patrick Gleeson of Different Fur Studios and Don Preston of The Mothers of Invention. Both Gleeson and Preston will appear at the booth on Friday, January 25th, to pay homage to the synthesizer that helped shape their careers.
The modular is currently owned by Walter Holland of lauded Holland Synthesizers, designers of custom aerospace quality audio equipment. Holland and his musical partner Steve Leonard, keyboardist for The Cretones, will be demonstrating the synthesizer throughout the weekend.Holland’s monolithic four-tiered modular includes three prototype modules created by R.A. Moog, Co. in the late 1960s, making it a truly one-of-a-kind system."
Top: "Walter Holland with his Moog Modular synthesizer."
Middle: "Don Preston with the Moog Modular in 1975 at the Provisional Theater."
Bottom: Per the update above, "Patrick Gleeson assists Herbie Hancock in the early 1970s" on an EMU modular.
"Following the recent announcement of our plans to open a storefront Moogseum next spring in the heart of downtown Asheville [posted here], we have launched moogseum.org. Check out this page to sign up to volunteer, donate, or receive Moogseum updates. We will be adding to this site over time, so keep checking back to see how the project is progressing!"
Celebrate Bob Moog’s 89th “Electric Birthday” at the Moogseum With Us!
Join us at the Moogseum on Tuesday, May 23, what would have been Bob's 89th birthday, as we welcome modular synthesis pioneer Patrick Gleeson as our guest presenter, offer rare guided museum tours with our executive director, Michelle Moog-Koussa (Bob's daughter) and share coffee, cake, and champagne during a deep dive into the history of synthesis.
Get tickets here. Space is extremely limited, and synth community members are already attending from as far away as Georgia and Massachusetts.
“Bob’s Electric Birthday” also includes a live demo of the vintage Moog modular heard on the soundtrack to “Apocalypse Now” from legendary synthesizer pioneer, composer, producer, and Herbie Hancock collaborator Patrick Gleeson -- a lifelong friend of Bob Moog.
This is followed by an interview with Michelle Moog-Koussa about his storied career, followed by a short DJ set from Dr. Gleeson.
"We're excited to share that the Moogseum has had a busy winter and early spring! We were closed for construction in January and February, which allowed us to expand our space to accommodate new exhibits. We spent the month of March creating the latest addition to our family of interactive exhibits, Patching Sound: Understanding Modular Synthesis.
Patching Sound provides visitors with a hands-on opportunity to patch, or create, sounds on a synthesizer interface by connecting various modules that control individual parameters of sound. The custom-designed exhibit was created by Los Angeles-based Sounds Amazing.
Patching Sound was made possible by a generous donation from Dave and Karen Rossum, with additional support from North Carolina Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and by donors like you!
A large, fully restored, historic R.A. Moog modular synthesizer, originally created in 1968, serves as the inspirational backdrop for the interactive installation. As part of its storied provenance, this synthesizer was used on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. You can read more about its history here.
Come experience Patching Sound: Understanding Modular Synthesis at the Moogseum!
We are open from 11-5 seven days a week."
We are proud to now be offering An Age Without Samples by synthesizer pioneer Ikutaro Kakehashi in our online store. This 312-page hardcover book was published the same year that its revered author passed away. An Age Without Samples explores such themes as the resurrection of the venture spirit of the '60s and '80s, creativity, and originality. It is replete with examples from his own experiences and storied career and is generously illustrated with scores of rarely seen photos.
We send our deep thanks to Ikuo Kakehashi for donating these books to the Bob Moog Foundation so that we could share them with our worldwide community of supporters and generate funding for our innovative work."
The Beastie Boys have been rocking crowds the world over for more than 25 years; they are the undeniable innovators of both hip hop and rock and roll. Known for looking forward and backward, the Beastie Boys were among the first to embrace the phat analog Moog sound in the late 80s and early 90s at a point when the world of synthesis had gone largely digital.
How fitting it was to have the Beastie Boys swing through town and perform a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Foundation's MiniMoogseum installation in the Orange Peel, once again championing the Bob Moog and his legacy of pioneering synthesis.
Dubbed the MiniMoogseum, the eight foot high showcase serves as the first permanent installation of Bob Moog's archives, including one of his Grammy awards and relics from the early development of Moog synthesizers. Michelle Moog-Koussa, who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation named after her father, explained that Over the decades to come, hundreds of thousands of people will see the installation as they visit the Orange Peel... which was recently voted in the top five in the country by Rolling Stone magazine. The "MiniMoogseum" can be thought of as a small scale version of the future "Moogseum", coming soon to the Asheville area.
Beastie Boys join a growing group of celebrity musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Keith Emerson, and Billy Corgan who have all voiced their support of the Foundation's mission to teach science to children using musical instruments. In the video the band expresses that they are ...proud and happy to be here at the beginning of this beautiful thing.....the Moogseum. They continue by saying There should be a Moog synthesizer in every classroom.
This video marks the first in a new series of videos and blogs that the Foundation is calling "Voices" -- reflections and ideas from the wider Moog community, focused on how Bob Moog inspired their creativity.
Making the MiniMoogseum a Reality: Volunteers and Sponsors
The MiniMoogseum was designed and built by a team of volunteers and sponsors—the foundation playfully refers to them as Rockstars--including Gene Felice, Domus Aurea Woodworking Design, Steve Dunnington and Mike Pieo.
Materials for the project were donated by Cormark International, Speedy Graphics, Moog Music, Asheville Hardware and Henco Reprographics. This project is the first step in an iterative process for the Foundation. The full-sized Moogseum, scheduled to open in four years, will feature interactive and experiential exhibits that inspire the next generation of Bob Moog like innovators, as well as an intimate performance area, where musicians from around the world can participate in the Foundation's programming.
Special thanks to Meg, Rhino & Jon Leidel for capturing this even on both video and photo!"
Korg - new keytars, special edition Kromes;
Waldorf - Kyra VA synthesizer (sounds spectacular)
Moog Foundation - carrying forward the heritage of Robert Moog
Moogseum - with original Moog modular from the late '60s/early '70s
Casio - new digital pianos - really impressive sound
Dexibell - great organ and piano keyboards, organ has super-cool moving drawbars to recall the settings
"At the 2019 NAMM Show, The Bob Moog Foundation was offering a preview of their upcoming 'Moogseum' - a new museum space, in Asheville, NC.
We talked with the Foundation's Online Education Coordinator, Lee Sebel, who gave us a demo of a classic Moog modular - and a preview of what to expect with the Moogseum."
"We visit with Lee Sebel, who tells us about the plans to build the Moogseum, a museum documenting the life and work of Bob Moog. The Moogseum will be in Asheville, NC, where the Moog Music factory and other synth manufacturers are located.
I don't know about you, but this is going to make Asheville a bucket list destination for me!
"Sonic Alchemists Patrick Moraz, Herb Deutsch, Larry Fast, and Lisa Bella Donna Come Together to Honor Bob Moog’s Legacy and the Launch of the Moogseum
We are honored and thrilled to announce “Moogmentum: Synthesizing Innovation, Music, and Creativity“, a three day celebration of the grand opening of the Moogseum, taking place from August 13- 15, 2019.
Tickets to the events go one sale through Eventbrite at 10am on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
Events are ticketed individually, and General Admission and VIP packages are offered. VIP packages, which include the two private events with Herb and Patrick, are limited to 25 people. Please read below for a full description of all events."
