National Council on Public History

CECELIA OTTO, AN AMERICAN SONGLINE

Proposal Type

Solo presenter (or presenters) with active audience discussion

Seeking

• Seeking Additional Presenters
• Seeking Specific Expertise
• Seeking General Feedback and Interest

Related Topics

• Oral History
• Preservation
• Public Engagement

Abstract

How can the story of important historical events in America be told through the songs of the time? For several years, I’ve performed a unique historic concert program all over the country that’s entertained audiences while giving them a new perspective on American history. Likened to “Hamilton the Musical, but in reverse”, these themed concerts (e.g., “The Songs of World War One”) share Tin Pan Alley songs as they would have been performed at the time they were written, but with the history and my 21st-century commentary added.

In this interactive presentation, research methods, performance practice, and song styles will be discussed, and I will finish with a mini-concert illustrating these examples.

Description

I’m hoping to achieve the following during this session:

• Discuss historical research methods of these important 20th-century songs.
• Explore why this music is so important to America’s history.
• Explain how recordings of the time can be deceptive regarding contemporary performance practices.
• Reveal what’s important to me when I look at the original sheet music.
• Perform examples so attendees can hear these brought back to life.

I’d also like to discuss the state of sheet music collections/sheet music availability on the whole. It’s clear you can find lots of music regarding certain historical topics (e.g., World War One), but then other historical events have little to no music (e.g., Women’s Suffrage). With hundreds of thousands of songs having been written from 1890-1940, this music can offer a glimpse into everyday life from this time period that would be informative and enjoyable to historians and the public alike.

I welcome ideas on focusing this proposal in a way that would be beneficial for NCPH members and conference attendees. Depending on what others may have to offer, I welcome the idea for collaborations/additional panelists too. Maybe there’s a way to talk about your sheet music collections, what’s lacking or not lacking, or how music is used in your organizations? I also welcome the idea of being a part of others’ presentations as well if the topic is a good fit.

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Cecelia Otto, [email protected]

All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 1, 2019. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion