Tuesday,
May 29, 2018
9:30am
Tune in to our June exhibit, which highlights Worthington's musical past.
Photographs of Worthington's bicentennial celebration, held in 2003, offer evidence that in addition to livening up a party, music can also remind us of our shared cultural heritage. Native American drum circles, jazz bands and klezmer ensembles are among the styles that have enriched and echoed the diversity of our community. Citizens in Worthington's sister city of Sayama, Japan, shared a Taiko drumming performance during the Worthington delegation's last visit to Sayama in 2009.
The enduring nature of musical tradition helps shine a light on cultural change and the passage of time. The half-century separating two group portraits of the St. John's Episcopal Church choir can be felt in the contrasting clothing of both groups and the visual clarity of each image. For a satirical snapshot of the 1940s, including showbiz mania and political turmoil, be sure to check out the program for the "Rose of the Danube" operetta you'll find below.
Concert programs may also reflect the styles of the day-- don't miss the vibrant illustrations for Worthington High School's musical productions in the 1950s and '60s! By comparison, the program for a "Grand Concert" held in 1894 may not be as colorful, but it does mark the grand opening of a "New School Hall" at what was previously Worthington High School (the current site of Kilbourne Middle School). It also hints at the orchestral stylings of the day, along with the influence of Greek mythology on ensemble naming ("Euterpean Band," anyone?).
Worthington-based musicians, whether students or professionals, have a well-documented history of taking center stage. (In fact, you can find evidence in this exhibit of local guitar guru Chuck Dailey's development from pupil to musical mentor.) We hope you enjoy getting in tune with our community's melodious tendencies this summer and across the years!
