Ken Burns' Pianist Jacqueline Schwab in Concert
I Lift My Lamp — Vintage Songs and Dances of Immigrant America:
Ken Burns’ Pianist Jacqueline Schwab in Concert
Community Workshop Also Offered
On Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, the Cultural Center will present the concert “I Lift My Lamp: Vintage Songs and Dances of Immigrant America” performed by Ken Burns’ pianist Jacqueline Schwab. The concert will also feature an opening by a small group from the NYMHS Band and a sing-along finale led by the NYMHS Choir students.
In addition to the concert, community members are invited to sign up for Ms. Schwab’s “Expand Your Bonds—A Workshop” on Monday, October 8 from 6:30-8 p.m., during which participants will explore new musical ideas, improvise and play with kinetic motion. All musicians are welcome! Best for folk, classical and jazzy instrumental improvisers and would-be improvisers. In a supportive group, participants will explore taking the next step in creating your own music, creating an accompaniment, and finding more freedom in your playing.
Workshop will be held at the Cultural Center on Monday, October 8 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Cost is just $10 per person. Pre-registration is required as there is a minimum of 3 and maximum of 12; call 218-385-3339 to hold your spot!
Jacqueline will also be working with students in the NYMHS band and choir on Monday and Tuesday, in preparation for their involvement in the concert, and as an opportunity to interact with and learn from a professional pianist. This outreach is an important aspect of the Cultural Center’s programming, with its goal of expanding cultural and creative opportunities for all, as well as a focus on arts learning.
Jacqueline Schwab is noted for her evocative playing on the soundtracks of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns’ “Civil War,” “Baseball,” “Mark Twain,” “Frank Lloyd Wright,” “The War” and others. She has long played for English country dancing with the Bare Necessities quartet; has released four solo recordings; and has performed concerts of vintage American music in almost every state of the Union, as well as in performances at the White House, on “A Prairie Home Companion” and on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
In “I Lift My Lamp — Vintage Songs and Dances of Immigrant America,” Schwab takes classic songs from Scotland, Ireland, Poland, France and Eastern Europe and reimagines them on piano. Jacqueline believes this is a way to discuss and honor cultures that have had an impact on American music, and possibly open more dialogue on what immigrants have brought to this country through the years.
This concert is made possible by sponsorships from David & Amy Sobieski and ShoreMaster. David originally discovered Jacqueline’s music and brought it to the attention of Cultural Center Executive Director Betsy Roder more than a year ago.
David says, “I first heard Jaqueline Schwab play “The Battle Cry of Freedom” on Ken Burn’s Civil War and it was a moment of grace. In a time when America wants to build walls the themes of immigration and the music of diversity is a gift to our community and our school. I say bravo and welcome!”
Roder responds, “I am grateful for David and Amy’s support and partnership which enabled us to bring this incredibly talented professional pianist to New York Mills. Thanks to the generosity of the Sobieskis and ShoreMaster, we are able to offer this concert for FREE to the community, and we hope to fill Trinity’s sanctuary on October 9th!”
The Improv Workshop is Monday, October 8 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center; $10 fee and pre-registration required. The Concert is Tuesday, October 9 @ 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in NYM and is FREE to attend and open to ALL! A freewill donation will be collected at the concert to support the New York Mills High School Choir and Band.
For more info, questions, or to register for the workshop, call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339 or visit us online at kulcher.org
The Cultural Center in New York Mills is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. We offer visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in our 80-seat concert listening room, two galleries in a historic building, a gift store featuring local artists, an artist residency program, a sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.
