LEWISTON – Local Franco-American musicians, from choir groups to rock ‘n’ roll bands, are on display in a new window exhibit as part of the Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine’s L-A College.

The boys choir at Saints Peter and Paul Church enjoyed a regional reputation, touring frequently in both New England and Canada. L’Orphéon, an all-male choral group, sang classical, religious and popular songs, under the longtime leadership of Alexis Côté. Marching bands were another popular form of musical entertainment.

The exhibit features a photo of the Leo Gaumont string band. Gaumont taught many local musicians traditional French-Canadian folk songs, square dance music and popular tunes of the times.

Also displayed is a photo of the Dominican Band, which was part of the Association Saint-Dominique headquartered in a building on Bartlett Street. Among other events, this band performed regular summer concerts in City Park and held fundraising performances in City Hall for church and school building projects. Many of its members came from the boys band Fanfare Ste-Cécile

When St. Dominic Regional High School took over its building, the Montagnard Snowshoe Club assumed sponsorship of this popular band. The Franco-American Collection has a wealth of information on the history and membership of these three groups.

A third style of music, spoon tapping and foot-stomping jigs and reels, usually involved the fiddle, accordion and harmonica, as shown in photos of The Mountain Dews and the Slyvia and Rosaire Roy group.

Franco-Americans also developed an ear for American musical styles, particularly country and rock ‘n’ roll. Pictured in the exhibit are Hal “Lone Pine” Breau, his wife Betty Cody, and their son Lenny, who were nationally known country artists. Lenny went on to become a renowned jazz guitarist. A new biography titled “One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau” describes his extraordinary talent.

During the 1960s, Lewiston earned a reputation as the rock ‘n’ roll capital of Maine. The city’s battles of the bands and P.A.L. hops drew packed audiences of fans from far and wide. Many local rockers, like The Innkeepers, were Franco-American.

The Franco-American Collection’s mission is to preserve local history and culture and present exhibits. It depends on donations of photos, documents and other mementos. It has a large amount of material on marching bands but very little on rock groups.

Located at the L-A campus, 51 Westminster St., the Franco-American Collection is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 753-6545 or log on to usm.maine.edu/lac/franco.