Music
Event Title
A Musical Narrative of the World War II American Soldier: Composing Somewhere in Europe for Baritone and Chamber Ensemble
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Start Date
10-4-2015 11:15 AM
End Date
10-4-2015 12:00 PM
Sponsor
Michael Schelle, Nicholas Johnson (Butler University)
Description
My project is centered on several letters written by my Grandfather throughout his service in Europe during World War II. Corporal Lawrence Steinke addressed these letters to his family while he was overseas serving as an engineer in the 166th Combat Battalion. I have selected several lines from these letters to set to music in a song cycle for baritone singer and chamber ensemble. This composition is supplemented by a research project that examines the World War II narrative in America as it effected the mindset and morale of soldiers. The research further examines how the popular songs of the time period musically represented these themes.
In 1940s America, music played a vital role in the construction of the World War II narrative. The public was heavily impacted by the proliferation of several ideas about American involvement in the war. These themes primarily revolved around optimism and isolationism, which in turn, romanticized the war for the American people. The thematic similarities between the music of the time period and my grandfather's letters, offers insight into public opinion of the War. This comparison further provides the tools to compose a cycle that will effectively highlight these ideas musically. I seek to genuinely represent the mindset of the American soldier by setting Lawrence Steinke's words with a working knowledge of American culture during the war. I selected specific lines to highlight different facets of the soldier's experience. In this talk I describe my use of compositional techniques meant to illuminate these experiences authentically.
A Musical Narrative of the World War II American Soldier: Composing Somewhere in Europe for Baritone and Chamber Ensemble
Indianapolis, IN
My project is centered on several letters written by my Grandfather throughout his service in Europe during World War II. Corporal Lawrence Steinke addressed these letters to his family while he was overseas serving as an engineer in the 166th Combat Battalion. I have selected several lines from these letters to set to music in a song cycle for baritone singer and chamber ensemble. This composition is supplemented by a research project that examines the World War II narrative in America as it effected the mindset and morale of soldiers. The research further examines how the popular songs of the time period musically represented these themes.
In 1940s America, music played a vital role in the construction of the World War II narrative. The public was heavily impacted by the proliferation of several ideas about American involvement in the war. These themes primarily revolved around optimism and isolationism, which in turn, romanticized the war for the American people. The thematic similarities between the music of the time period and my grandfather's letters, offers insight into public opinion of the War. This comparison further provides the tools to compose a cycle that will effectively highlight these ideas musically. I seek to genuinely represent the mindset of the American soldier by setting Lawrence Steinke's words with a working knowledge of American culture during the war. I selected specific lines to highlight different facets of the soldier's experience. In this talk I describe my use of compositional techniques meant to illuminate these experiences authentically.