---
title: A Smithsonian Instrumental
date: 2023-09-18T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-smithsonian-instrumental"
section: Articles
---
# A Smithsonian Instrumental

*September 18, 2023* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Music Lecturer Oversees Instruments Collection at National Museum of American History

*20230602 David Andrews NOI American History Museum Stradivari DLA00534 1920x1080 — Students from the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute got to play Stradivarius instruments, thanks to a partnership with the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society (SCMS). School of Music Lecturer Kenneth Slowik (below), SCMS artistic director and curator of musical instruments at the National Museum of American History, arranged the opportunity in June.*

For many musicians, the chance to play a Stradivarius would be the highlight of a lifetime. For Kenneth Slowik, it’s just another day at the office.

The University of Maryland School of Music lecturer is also the curator of the musical instrument collection at the National Museum of American History, overseeing the conservation and restoration of thousands of historically significant instruments. In addition, he’s artistic director of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society, a position in which he performs on these magnificent stringed instruments and the museum’s violas da gamba, harpsichords and fortepianos.


*Kenneth Slowik*


*closeup of four instruments*




**Topics:** [Arts & Culture](https://today.umd.edu/tags/arts-culture), [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Music](https://today.umd.edu/topic/music), [Arts](https://today.umd.edu/topic/arts)


**Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities)