JACKSONVILLE, OR—Historians have called the American Civil War “a musical war,” and Confederate General Robert E. Lee once remarked that without music, there would have been no army. On Sunday, April 10, 2016, folk singer and historian David Gordon brings the music of the Civil War to life through original songs from the era along with the stories behind them.
“Stories and Songs from the Civil War,” is part of Historic Jacksonville’s on-going monthly series, “Pioneer History in Story & Song.” Due to the overwhelming response to this series, Gordon is offering this program at 2 pm and repeating it again at 3:30 pm in the Naversen Room of the Jacksonville Library located at 340 West C Street. Seating for each performance is limited to the first 60 people so reservations are strongly encouraged! Admission is $3 at the door, with proceeds dedicated to maintaining and preserving historic structures in Jacksonville, Oregon, and bringing their history to life.
Gordon cites historian Kenneth A. Bernard’s classic book, Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War¸ as part of his source material. “In the years preceding the conflict, singing schools and musical institutes operated in many parts of the country. Band concerts were popular entertainment and pianos graced the parlors of many homes. When soldiers North and South marched off to war, they took with them a love of song that transcended their political and philosophical divide. Music passed the time; it entertained and comforted; it brought back memories of home and family; it strengthened the bonds between comrades and forged new ones.”
David Gordon has been called a “21st Century troubadour” and described by The Washington Post as “an irresistible performer,” weaving a soothing musical tapestry of songs, irresistible vocals, gentle guitar stylings, stories, musings, and his own unique brand of goofy humor. With Historic Jacksonville’s “Pioneer History in Story & Song” series, he combines his consummate charm, wit, and story telling skills with a return to his early musical roots.
A career that began with a love of banjo, guitar, bluegrass, and an early ambition to be a high school music teacher morphed into a 40-year international career as singer, lecturer, author, historian, and recording artist. The Chicago Tribune has called him “one of the world’s great Bach tenors,” and Gordon has been an integral part of the Carmel Bach Festival for the past 27 years serving first as tenor, then as dramaturge, lecturer, translator, and director of the Vocal Master Class. In recent years, he has also been voice instructor at Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, and the University of California at Berkeley.
Gordon is also an acclaimed author. His definitive book, Carmel Impressarios, retells the story of Hazel Watrous and Dene Denny, founders of the Bach Festival, Carmel Music Society, and a Monterey theater company. However, his fascination with history extends far beyond music and Bach Festival origins. When he and his wife Ginna—a noted artist, chef, author, bookbinder, and publisher in her own right—visited friends in Jacksonville, they were hooked. Jacksonville became their home one year ago, and now David is delighted to join the ranks of people who “bring history to life” in historic Jacksonville.
A series attendee contradicted him. She said, “You don’t’ bring history to life; you bring life to history!”
So join Gordon and Historic Jacksonville for “living history” in this and the season’s remaining “Pioneer History in Story & Song” sessions spotlighting songs from Gold Rush Saloons (May 8–note change of date!), and “Getting Here,” pioneer journeys over land and water to reach the West (June 12).
For reservations or information, contact 541-245-3650 or info@historicjacksonville.org.