Hands Off Prince Rupert
An Evening of Theremin — Four Theremins, Homebrew Instruments, and a Gathering of Enthusiasts.
July 18, 1997 — A night to remember, and fortunately, no audio recordings were made.
Hands Off Prince Rupert was an evening of theremin performances that took place on July 18, 1997. It was a gathering of theremin enthusiasts, builders, and musicians who came together to celebrate their shared love for this remarkable instrument.
The event featured four theremins: two SWTP/TECI hybrid homebrew instruments and two Theremax theremins. These instruments were built by dedicated enthusiasts who had spent countless hours perfecting their designs. The evening was a testament to the creativity and passion of the theremin community.
The performers included Dan Gillard, Barry Eso, John Turner, and Bob Pearson. Dan Gillard led the group with his theremin, demonstrating the range and expressiveness of the instrument. Barry Eso played his homebrew theremin, and as the caption famously notes, "the beer is crucial to tuning!" John Turner played Dan's Theremax, while Bob Pearson joined in for a cacophony of theremin sounds.
The evening was described as a "cacophony of theremins," a playful acknowledgment that not every performance needs to be perfect. The goal was to have fun, experiment, and share the joy of making music with this unique instrument. As the organizers noted, "fortunately, no audio recordings were made."
The event was held in Prince Rupert, a small city on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It was an intimate gathering, bringing together people who might otherwise never have met. The shared passion for the theremin created an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual support that is at the heart of the TECI community.
Hands Off Prince Rupert is remembered as a highlight of the theremin calendar in the late 1990s. It was a time when the theremin community was still relatively small and tightly knit. Events like this helped to build the foundation for the global theremin community that exists today.
For those interested in the instruments used at the event, the SWTP/TECI hybrid homebrew theremins are a notable part of theremin history. SWTP (Southwest Technical Products) was a company that produced electronic kits in the 1970s, and their theremin design was a popular choice for enthusiasts. The Theremax, produced by the theremin company Paia, was another well-regarded design that many builders used as the basis for their instruments.
We also encourage you to explore the Theremin Bible and Theremin Plans pages for more information on building and playing theremins. The history of homebrew theremins is a rich one, and many of the builders who participated in events like Hands Off Prince Rupert went on to create remarkable instruments.
Hands Off Prince Rupert was a celebration of the theremin community. It was a reminder that music is about more than perfection; it is about connection, creativity, and joy. We hope this page brings back fond memories for those who were there and inspires others to create their own theremin events.