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University
Of Virginia Library Exhibit To Explore Music In American Life
October 10, 2001-- WHO: Albert H. Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia WHAT: Exhibition: "Lift Every Voice: Music in American Life" WHEN: Now through Feb.11, 2002 / Free and open to the public WHERE: McGregor Room, Alderman Library, University of Virginia When Walt Whitman wrote in Leaves of Grass, "I hear America singing," he was not merely exercising poetic license. Song served in his day as the accompaniment to life’s daily activities, as it had for ages past. A new University of Virginia Library exhibition, "Lift Every Voice: Music in American Life," explores this vital component of our national life and celebrates four centuries of popular vocal music in America. "Americans have long lifted their voices in joy and sorrow, anticipation and anger, supplication and thanks," said assistant music librarian Mary Prendergast, curator of the exhibit. "They’ve sung ballads and laments, ditties and anthems, hymns and spirituals. They’ve chronicled their crises and celebrated their successes, crafting music to cajole and console, to provoke and evoke, to incite and invite." In 1619, Africans first arrived in Virginia, bringing with them a rich oral tradition in which nearly every activity in life was accompanied by music. A year later, a group of white settlers landed at Plymouth, carrying with them a cherished book of psalms to help them sing the Lord’s praises in a strange land. Tracing the American vocal tradition from these early roots, the exhibition explores the influence of political events and social mores on music’s style and substance. "Lift Every Voice" features patriotic songs, hymns and spirituals, minstrels and musicals, protest songs, and 1960s rock and roll. Sheet music, songbooks, broadsides, posters, photos, and recorded music help to tell the story of America’s triumphs and trials through the voices of its people. Some highlights of the exhibit include:
An interactive Web site accompanies the exhibition, making it available around the world. Along with viewing and reading about the items on display, visitors to the Web site, at www.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/music, can listen to audio clips of some of the music featured in the "Lift Every Voice." "Lift Every Voice: Music in American Life" will be on display through Feb.11, 2002 in the McGregor Room of Alderman Library. The McGregor Room is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (434) 243-8969. Contact: Melissa Norris, (434) 924-4254 |
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