The Civil War was not only pivotal moment in American history, it was a key moment in the development of American music. Even as the war was ripping the country in half, the military was bringing together soldiers from differing ethnic and musical backgrounds. The resulting comingling of instruments, songs, and styles has been called the first recognizably “American” folk music.

This is not a history class or a music class, but rather is an examination of the connection between music, history, and place. It is a class about how a unique period of history gave birth to a new era of music and gave us songs we still sing today. So, it will be a class on American culture, exploring the roots of American folk music, why music has such an impact on us, and why we are compelled to tell stories in song.