Event time:
Saturday, February 3, 2018 - 5:00am to 10:30am
Location:
Connecticut Hall
344 College Street
New Haven, CT
06511
Admission:
Free, but register in advance
Open to:
General Public
Event description:
The Brothertown Indian Nation, the New Haven shape note singing community, the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and the Yale Indian Papers Project will host a “Singing and Sharing of Thomas Commuck’s Indian Melodies.”
Published in 1845, Commuck’s shape-note tunebook is thought by some to be the earliest printed musical publication by a Native composer in North America. Singing from Indian Melodies will be an opportunity to appreciate not only Commuck’s tunes, but the historical and present-day significance of Commuck’s work for the Brothertown Indian Nation and many more.
Songs from Indian Melodies will be interwoven with reflections on the history of the Brothertown Indian Nation and the social, musical, and historical context of Commuck’s music. The singing will be recorded and the day’s events documented. Copies of the recordings and documents will be made available at the Brothertown Indian Nation archives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and the Yale Indian Papers Project.
The planners of this event hope that as we sing and listen and learn together, and as we share food and fellowship with friends old and new, we will foster relationships among our communities. All who feel moved to share this day are welcome. Please visit our Facebook event for specific and up to date information about the day.
An original copy of the Indian Melodies tunebook can be viewed on the mezzanine of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library beginning Friday, February 2 through Monday, February 5.