2009-06-05 00:52:40 - An attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Musical Saw Ensemble' will be part of the festival, which aims to preserve the 300 year old art of making music with a carpenter's hand-saw.

The 7th annual NYC Musicla Saw Festival has been approved by the Guinness Book of Records to attempt to break the world record of the 'Largest Musical Saw Ensemble'. The current record, set in Poland last year, is 27 musical saw players.
Will we set a new world record in NYC on July 18th?

The art form of making music with a carpenter's handsaw has been around for 300 years, but has become almost forgotten since the 1930's. The festival set up to make sure this unique art form does not disappear. For the past 7 years Astoria (Queens) became a pilgrimage spot for musical saw players from all over the world. In past years musical saw players from China, Japan,

India, Germany, Canada and all over the USA participated.

The festival, which is supported by the Queens Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NY State Council on the Arts, includes a concert, an art exhibit and a workshop - all centered around the musical saw, of course.
Four world premiers of music written especially for the musical saw by two composers will be featured, with participation of a string quartet, handbell group and soprano singer. Solos and duets by many musical saw players from around the world will take place, as well as a musical saw art exhibit featuring work by 8 artists.

When: Saturday, July 18th, 2pm
Where: Trinity Church, 31-18 37th Street (37th street corner of 31st Avenue), Astoria (Queens), NYC.
Admission: $10
Info: www.MusicalSawFestival.org

Come see the saw players and say you saw it here first!