An Evening In History

Music and history are two very different subjects. History is based on fact, while music is based on sound. History is defined,  while music is loose. History is often preserved by writing, while music is captured orally through chords and notes. However, music and history are more alike than they may seem at first glance. History is ever changing, being written anew every day. As new facts emerge, and varying viewpoints are uncovered, events from the past are reinterpreted, and stories that were forgotten are pushed to the forefront. There is no one definition of history. Like a song that flows to its own rhythm, that transcends the limits of a set sound, history is ever changing. 

Similarly to music, different decades and eras bring about new definitions of history.  Just as specific genres of music are favored in different periods, different parts of history continue to be reimagined and restudied due to the acceptance of new voices and perspectives. This parallel between history and music stretches beyond one's imagination. Niskayuna’s An Evening In History captures this bond between history and music. 

This year’s Evening In History, which focused on The Civil War and Civil Rights from the years 1865 and 1965, was a phenomenal show. Above all, it demonstrated  the power music has to bring history to life. Every year, An Evening In History invites the audience to view history beyond the bounds of a page, allowing them to enter a world of the past. 

An Evening In History features a variety of student performances from the music department, as well as student readings. Songs from the time period 1865-1965 gave listeners a taste of history by highlighting events such as Reconstruction following the Civil War, Jim Crow laws, and the fight for civil rights. The event was not limited solely to music though. The student readings also emphasized stepping into the past by having students read works, speeches and letters written from the time period. Through adopting this new persona where students acted as historical figures, effectively becoming the author of their assigned work, it only furthered the audience’s immersion by giving them a taste of what it might have been like listening to Abraham Licoln’s speeches, or hearing the perspective from someone who was a leader in The Civil Rights Movement. 

During the beginning of the show, an opening slideshow of music and pictures from the time period set the mood, instantaneously transporting the audience back in time. The theme of The Civil War and Civil Rights allowed listeners to learn about the period, the struggles that so many Americans faced, and the thoughts behind proponents and opponents of these events. The first half of the performance began with an examination of  The Civil War, and the second half focused on The Civil Rights Movement, enabling a complete timeline in which the music could represent the changing attitudes of the time; the performances showed the progression from a country that was at war physically, to a country that was still divided mentally by the ideals that were once previously upheld. 

An Evening In History is a unique part of Niskayuna High School that represents what it means to be a part of the Niskayuna community. Students, teachers and administration all come together to create this incredible event. Due to the hard work of all those performing, this year was once again successful. Music and history may be different in many ways, but through this performance, the divisions between the two subjects disintegrated, enabling for history to be captured through music.

Photo credit: NCSD Communications