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There are added extras on the program page this year. Almost all the underlined text below is linked to information about the music we are performing and the people who put the music together. for example, if you place you cursor on "Celebrating the Music of Harold Arlen" you will get a biography of the composer. Some of the links also provide music clips. In partucular, click on "Lydia" and also "the Tattooed Lady". Enjoy!
These songs highlight some of the touchstones of our democracy – justice, rule of law, equality, fortitude, freedom and courage. We must strive to nourish those hopes envisioned by our forefathers and harvest the rewards of a free society. The Civil War was the greatest test to our nation’s unity, but the bloodshed and suffering forged an even greater nation. George M. Cohan salutes “Old Glory” as a symbol of our pride and optimism. Finally, our heritage is idealized through those elements we endow to our land – beauty, peace, love, faith, etc. - America, our homeland.
Music is an illusive art. It exists for a moment and then reverts to silence. Still, we all can recall favorite tunes effortlessly. Maybe it’s because songs speak in sympathy with our emotions and connect on an empathetic level we easily understand.
Songs are part of life’s journey. They recall occasions that lift our hearts, soothe, inspire and entertain. The strength of music lies in its illusiveness. Though it speaks only briefly, it remains within our hearts. We hope you find our program enjoyable and that it expresses some of those emotions felt “when your heart has wings”.
We thank you for your continued support of our efforts enabling us to remain part of our city’s cultural experience. We also want to congratulate our “home city” of Appleton. One hundred and fifty years ago Appleton was officially incorporated. We of MacDowell are proud to be a part of almost half of our community’s history. |
