The Online Reflector

Adrian Kendrick & Cecilia Perdomo
FEATURE EDITOR & STAFF WRITER

After evaluating two different schools, retired local entrepreneur Norman Cohen donated 55-collected instruments, including saxophones and clarinets, to the University of Indianapolis music department.The students will be able to use some of the most valuable and rarest instruments around the world.

A ceremony was held to reveal the instruments to the UIndy campus Feb. 25. Norman Cohen has collected the instruments for more than two decades.

In order to receive the instruments, Harry Miedema, director of UIndy Jazz Studies, and James Spinazzola, assistant professor of music, developed a proposal for Cohen that fit with his plans of what he wanted to do with the instruments.

“The plan was to have the instruments divided into two groups where some are on display in the library [Krannert Memorial Library] and the remaining are displayed in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center where the students can play them,” Spinazzola said. “He was really receptive to that plan.”

Cohen, a WWII veteran, began his career in the furniture industry and then took an interest in real estate. His real estate business grew and he decided to form Norle Investments with his brother in 1954.

According to the UIndy News, Cohen began to take major interests in jazz and swing music in the 1980s.

His interest led him to play with some local bands, and he befriended several employees from the Selmer Company. Cohen then decided to collect and fix worn-out instruments, including several from the Selmer Company.

“Norman has seen what we have done here [with the instruments] and has appreciated it and has felt that this was the right place for his instruments to be,” Miedema said.

According to Miedema, a rare saxophone called a “C” melody soprano saxophone is one of many displayed at the library.

“I am a professional saxophone player, [so] I knew it (the soprano saxophone) existed but I had never seen one until now,” Miedema said.

According to Spinazzola, the instruments, in terms of the brand names, are the best saxophones ever constructed.

“If these instruments were cars, they would be Ferraris; they’re top of the line. It also runs [as far back] to where the saxophone was invented in the 1800s, and we have instruments from the late 1800s into the 20th century. So they are pretty incredible,” Spinazzola said.

Miedema has a saxophone in his office similar to the ones Cohen donated.

“These saxophones are mine. They are made by the Selmer Company, and they are called Mark VI,” Miedema said. “Many people, including me, think those are the best instruments that were ever made, and Norm gave us seven of them.”

According to the UIndy News Web site, the collection has been valued at more than $100,000 in insurance profits. For this reason, a student or any person who is not part of the faculty of the music department must have permission to use them.

Miedema said the music department is thankful to Cohen for his donation and is thrilled that students will have the opportunity to play some of the instruments.

“The instruments were a very generous gift,” Spinazzola said. “It’s something that will serve the university for many years to come.”