Purpose

The project is intended to foster and preserve an awareness of the origins and evolution of American music among the general population of the community.   The program will focus on the diversity of music sources (Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, etc.); relationships between/among music genres; evolution of American music; and the historical context of familiar music.

Overview

The project provides an ongoing series of programs featuring narrative exposition interwoven with musical performance.  The focus of each program will be on the educational and/or historical aspects of some aspect of American roots music.  The time devoted to the narrative portion of the programs is intended to be approximately equal to that devoted to the performance portion.  Where feasible, written program material will be provided to the audience. Some programs will include audio-visual support.

The project was initiated using local, volunteer presenters.  While we continue to use local performers, we will have recognized scholars and musicians present the programs in order to maintain credibility and accuracy of some of the less well-known aspects of roots music.