Stambaugh to showcase collaborative effort

The Dana School of Music, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and Stambaugh Auditorium are hosting a six-week collaborative program series called “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway,” which began Sept. 25, at Stambaugh Auditorium, located at 1000 Fifth Ave. in Youngstown. This series of programs will focus on uniquely American musical traditions.

Patrons will have the opportunity to be seated directly on the Stambaugh Auditorium stage to watch each program. Popcorn and other refreshments will be sold.

Matt Pagac, general manager of Stambaugh Auditorium, said, “It’s rare when we have a program that allows patrons direct access onto Stambaugh’s stage. Most people never have the chance to enjoy being on-stage.”

Youngstown is one of only 50 sites nationwide to host this program series, which is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music.

The six-part program series features musical performances and award-winning documentary film screenings followed by scholar-led discussions of twentieth-century American popular music. The six sessions focus on these uniquely American musical genres: blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass and country, rock ’n’ roll, mambo and hip hop.

“It’s wonderful to see the program bring the community together and to see the YSU Music and Dance faculty, students and alumni share their talents to supplement the topics of the series. The program truly is a celebration of American music culture,” said Ewelina Boczkowska, program scholar.

Each program will be offered at Stambaugh Auditorium, and all are free and open to the public. The complete schedule is:

Oct. 23 - Tin Pan Alley and Broadway

Performance by Nancy Wolfgang’s Studio and Lecture by Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska

Film screening and discussion: Broadway: The American Musical, Episode 2: Syncopated City (1919-1933)

Nov. 20 -Country and Bluegrass

Lecture by Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska

Film screening and discussion: High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music

Feb. 19 - Rock and Roll

Lecture by Dr. Ted Perkins and Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska

Film screening and discussion: The History of Rock’n’ Roll: Episode 6, Plugging In

March 19 - Latin Rhythms From Mambo to Hip Hop

Performance by Lee Beitzel and YSU Dance Studio and Lecture by Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska

Film screenings and discussion: Latin Music USA, Episode 1, Bridges and From Mambo to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Tale

April 16 - Swing Jazz

Performance by YSU Jazz Ensembles and Lecture by Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska

Film screenings and discussion: Ken Burns’ Jazz: Episode 6, Swing, The Velocity of Celebration and International Sweethearts of Rhythm

“America’s Music” has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway” uses a mixture of films and scholar-led discussions to illuminate the audience’s understanding of American culture. In addition, each partner has contributed resources for the success of the program.

More information is available by contacting the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at 330-744-8636 or Stambaugh Auditorium at 330-747-5175.