American Music Month
Lincoln and His Music: Melodies that Moved the Man and the Nation
Concerts, Lectures, Master Classes
and Exhibitions
Throughout his tenure as U.S. President, Lincoln heard music of every mood in the White House, military camps and Washington, DC. This varied Americas kaleidoscopic of musical tastes spoke from the heart of a nation. Lincoln's love of music was passionate. The melodies and lyrics that were closest to him reflected the tragedy, joy, defeat and victory experienced first-hand by his nation's people.
The University of Illinois and the Urbana-Champaign community's 2008 American music celebration explores the dynamic music traditions that were embraced by Lincoln throughout his life and illustrates his legacy's impact on Americas music heritage today.
Anthony Brown and his Asian American Jazz Orchestra kick off this year's programming with an exciting concert of music by Ellington, Monk and Gershwin that artfully blends eastern and western performance cultures into his new Fifth Stream form of jazz. A special performance forum dedicated to public school jazz bands the following day will enable students to work directly with Brown and his ensemble to develop a better understanding and appreciation of this new jazz form and the strength of cultural diversity that it brings to the arts.
Other events include:
a two-day festival for public and home-school string students
a grand re-opening of the renovated Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
the 4th annual Granny's Porch concert at the Virginia Theater, the kick-off for
a gala weekend of lectures and military dress ball at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
For more information, visit:
Sousa Archives and Center for American Music |
