“Tunes are good remembrancers,” Mark Twain said in a letter to his wife, Olivia, in 1868. “Almost every one I hear instantly summons a face when I hear it.” On Jan. 29, the History Singers summoned the bewhiskered face of the writer in the white suit, by presenting Mark Twain’s Music Box at the Forest Park Public Library.
Kathy Atwood, co-founder of the History Singers, teaches piano at Steckman Studio of Music in Oak Park and gives private lessons at her Forest Park home-studio. She did the historical and musical research.
“I’m an English major,” she said, “so diving into Twain was fun.” Her husband, John, served as her sounding board and technical assistant.
“Although most of our programs consist of John and me on piano, guitar, flute and vocals,” Atwood said, “I knew the music for the Twain program would be enhanced by the addition of more instruments.” Joining them at the library were Dan Hoenisch on banjo, Debroah Hostetler on fiddle, dulcimer and mandolin and Marcus Hostetler on bass. Chris Maund read excerpts from Twain that corresponded to the songs. The crowd laughed in all the right places.
Atwood noted that America’s foremost humorist was also a music lover who played piano and sang. Ten years after expressing his fondness for music in a letter, Olivia presented him with a music box for his birthday. Not just any music box — it was an enormous thing, coffin-sized and costly, 8,000 in today’s dollars. It could play orchestral versions of 10 pieces. The man who famously described Wagner’s music as “Better than it sounds,” chose classical pieces so he could catch up on old world culture.
That wasn’t really Twain’s taste, said Atwood. “Camptown Races” and “My Old Kentucky Home” were more his cup of tea.
“He was a backwoods riverboat guy,” Atwood said, “but he wanted to be thought of as a cultured society man.” She accessed his musical roots by contacting Twain enthusiasts in his hometown of Hannibal, Mo. To find more song titles, Atwood devoured Twain’s voluminous autobiography, released last year on the centennial of his death. “I found mention of songs he heard,” Atwood said, “but I also learned he was a big fan of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.”
She explained that this pioneering African-American ensemble, “brought spirituals to the whole world.” Twain helped in this effort by encouraging them to tour Europe and providing letters of recommendation. The History Singers performed “Swing Low” and “Steal Away” in their honor.
Librarian Sarah Beth Warshauer was thrilled with the performance and the turnout, which packed the Austin Room. “People loved it. We got really good feedback,” Warshauer said. “They performed songs to show what music was like back then. They had a narrator quote Twain on how music influenced him. Twain is very funny.”
Warshauer recalled they also hosted the History Singers’ first-ever performance. They booked Mark Twain’s Music Box 18 months ago. “We’ll definitely have them back,” Warshauer said.
The History Singers had also done the Twain show in October 2010 for the Historical Society of Oak Park-River Forest. Peggy Sinko, vice president for programs, is a big fan. “Their thorough and careful research of the era resulted in an entertaining, enjoyable and educational program.” She noted that the one-hour show featured period music interspersed with relevant quotes from Twain. “The concert was thoroughly enjoyed by our audience.”
Sinko had also seen a previous History Singers’ show, Songs of the World Wars. “It was equally well done,” she said. “Our organization believes that history can be relevant and educational, without being boring and dry. The History Singers share that point of view.”
In addition to Oak Park and Forest Park, the History Singers have also performed at a number of libraries in the western suburbs. Lucy Tarabour, a librarian in Clarendon Hills, hired the duo in 2008. “Our library meeting room was transformed into a 1960s coffeehouse, thanks to these talented performers. Our patrons were tapping their toes and singing along as they listened to a very interesting mix of songs of the era. In addition to their fine musicianship, they provided fascinating historical background for the selections, which really helped set the mood and educate the listeners.”
Carol Morency, a staff member at the Downers Grove Public Library, said, “The History Singers are accomplished musicians and delightful storytellers. They are expert at making the story of our country come alive through song.”
Atwood and her husband formed the History Singers in 2003. It combined their love of music with their love of history. They wanted to recreate how Americans encountered music prior to the electronic age. Since then, they’ve presented music programs at nearly a hundred venues.
Prior to teaching at Steckman, Atwood studied piano, flute and voice. She has performed as a soloist in addition to her ensemble work. John Atwood was learning trumpet and piano when he watched the Beatles debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. He switched to guitar and formed a garage band. He eventually mastered the string bass and has played with everyone from small groups to symphony orchestras.
In addition to their shared musical backgrounds, Atwood has a B.A. in English and American Literature, with a minor in history, while her husband has a B.A. in History. “The History Singers combine our passions for music and history,” Atwood said.
The Twain show was their 10th production. In the past, they’ve performed programs covering Songs of the Civil War, Greatest Hits of the 19th & 20th Century, and The Generation Gap, featuring Songs of the Sixties vs. Songs of the World War II Era.
Closer to home, the Atwoods are composing a song called “The Ballad of Albert Parsons.”
“It basically covers the Haymarket incident,” Atwood said. “We’re fans of Albert Parsons, but I didn’t visit the monument until last winter.” Atwood had just finished reading about their burial, so seeing the martyrs’ final resting place brought her to tears.
The Atwoods moved to Forest Park a decade ago. Besides conducting piano lessons at her residence, Atwood has been teaching at Steckman since 1998. Last summer, she served as an early childhood piano teacher at Hephzibah Children’s Association. She invites area residents to visit www.HistorySingers.com to find future events.
