A World of Music: Instruments from the Hartenberger World Music Collection

The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries' long-standing reputation for championing the visual and performing arts in St. Louis has prompted an awe-inspiring donation -- a treasure trove of more than 2,500 exotic jazz, folk, ceremonial and indigenous musical instruments, including bizarre hybrids such as the Saxotrumpet and a must-be-seen-to-be-believed soprano slide saxophone. The Sheldon celebrates the acquisition with A World of Music: Instruments from the Hartenberger World Music Collection, an exhibit focused on the instruments of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Highlights include a Chimu whistling bottle dating back to 1000 A.D. and an extremely rare eight-and-a-half-octave marimba out of Guatemala.

Opening reception 5-9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 6. Continues Tue.-Sat. through Jan. 2, 2016. The Sheldon (3648 Washington Boulevard; 314-533-9900 or www.thesheldon.org). Free admission.