Education:

B.S. in Music Education, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
M.A. in Musicology, SUNY at Binghamton, NY
Ph.D. in Musicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Research Specialties and Publications:

The C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company, Elkhart, Indiana

• A Brief History of the Conn Company (1874-present) (text and archival photographs)
• Publications about Conn Company written by Margaret Banks
• Do You Own a Conn Instrument?

  Please Note: Neither I nor the NMM appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the NMM's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

U.S. Musical Instrument Manufacturers (particularly those in Elkhart, Indiana, and the Midwest) and their Products from 1870 to the present

• Publications about U.S. Instrument Manufacturers written by Margaret Banks
• Link to The Music Trader's list of serial number lists for woodwind and brass instruments

  Please Note:Neither I nor the NMM appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the NMM's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

History of Brass and Woodwind Instruments

• Publications about brass and woodwind instruments written by Margaret Banks

  Please note: Neither I nor the NMM appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the NMM's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

History and Features of Early Bowed Stringed Instruments including the Rebec, the Pochette (Kit), the Violin, and the Violino Piccolo

• Publications about bowed and plucked stringed instruments written by Margaret Banks

  Please Note: If you think you have a violin made by Stradivarius or another famous violin maker, or if you wish to obtain an appraisal of your violin, please follow this link to the NMM's Frequently Asked Questions page.

  Please note: If you have general questions about stringed instruments (other than those made by C. G. Conn) please consult the NMM website's Frequently Asked Questions page.

  Please note: Neither I nor the NMM appraise instruments or comment upon potential market or insurance value. Please consult the NMM's Frequently Asked Questions page for links to appraiser's associations.

The modern Greek lyra (folk fiddle)

• Publications about the modern Greek lyra written by Margaret Banks

Other Publications About Musical Instruments and Related Topics written by Margaret Banks

Unpublished Research and Research-in-Progress

• History of the C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company (book-in-progress)
• Biography of Charles Gerard Conn, Elkhart, Indiana (1855-1931) (book-in-progress)
• History of High Pitch / Low Pitch in the U.S.A., ca. 1880-1950
• History of the Trumpet Notes Band, Elkhart, Indiana
• History of the Buescher Band Instrument Company, Elkhart, Indiana

Other Interests:

• List of some of the categories I collect


• A Picture Postcard Gallery (click on thumbnail images to enlarge)

	The Star Spangled Banner, about 1910
	C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Factory, ca. 1911
	Old Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota, 1921
	Old Main and East Hall, USD, ca. 1920
	Schuster Sisters Saxophone Quartet Endorse Conn Saxophones, ca. 1915
	USD Library (now National Music Museum), early 20th century