Over There: The Music of World War One
Joseph N. Rubin’s Orchestra pays tribute to the music that won "The Great War" in Over There: The Music of World War One in commemoration of the centennial of the Armistice: November 11, 1918. This concert will transport audiences on a musical journey through popular music of the war years of 1914-1918 by some of the greatest American composers of all time including George M. Cohan, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and Victor Herbert. Immortal songs "Over There," “K-K-K Katy,” “Smiles,” "How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm," "Goodbye Broadway, Hello France" and more will be brought to life again in their original orchestrations for the first time in a century. Heidi Swinford, favorite leading soprano on Northern Ohio stages, will recreate selections originally introduced by Vaudeville stars Nora Bayes and Elsie Janis.
When United States entered “The Great War” on April 6, 1917, the war had already been raging in Europe for almost four years. Over There: The Music of World War One will feature a selection of the vast output of American popular music that entertained both the troops in the trenches and the families back home. All of the music will be performed in the original published orchestrations from the time period, most of which have not been heard since the end of the war. One of the many highlights of the program will be the unjustly forgotten comedy song “If He Can Fight Like He Can Love (Then Goodnight Germany)” by Akron, Ohio native lyricist Grant Clarke.
HEIDI SWINFORD (Soprano Soloist) is an actor and singer performing primarily in musical theatre productions across Northeast Ohio. Recent performances include: Players Guild Theatre: Chicago (Velma), Ragtime (Mother), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy), Annie (Grace). Akron Symphony: South Pacific (Dina). Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra: A Night On Broadway (Soloist). The Ted Lewis Orchestra: Ted Lewis and Sophie Tucker: Jazz Jubilee (Vocalist). EJ Thomas Hall: Songs For A New World (Woman 1). Miss Swinford is married, has two children and resides in Tuscarawas County.
“Wars have been won by the armies which went singing into battle. The great hymns, anthems and songs of all peoples have come from days of national struggle. Our own wars have left us a rare heritage of music…To-day the spirit of America at home as well as the spirits of our noble boys abroad is being sustained and inspired in the great task before us by our American music.”