Oral History to Music Workshops offered
Kate G. Hansen, former member of the folk duo Curly and Kate, and longtime classical music faculty member of Montana State University, will present a series of Oral History to Music” workshops Nov. 5 in Eureka.
The Eureka Community Players present “Oral History to Music” workshops by Kate G. Hansen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 211 First. Ave. W. and Third Street in Eureka.
Over the course of three workshops and through lecture, discussion and activities, attendees will learn more about oral histories, their value and their use in art; develop music listening skills and other compositional tools; and learn how to create melody from text with a focus on oral histories. A musical background is not required for these workshops but it helps. People of all ages, especially those interested in history and/or music, will enjoy learning from the presenter, Kate G. Hansen.
Attendees will each create a short melody from an oral history by the end of the third workshop with assistance from Hansen. Lunch will be served to attendees. The three workshops are sequential.
Workshop 1: Creating Art from Oral Histories
Workshop 2: Big Ears and Building Melodies
Workshop 3: Creating Your Own Melody … Don’t Worry, Just Go For It!
About Kate G. Hansen
Hansen has been able to make careers from both her love of folk and classical music. In 1985 she began touring as a member of the folk duo, Curly and Kate. Soon after, she met the oral historian at the Montana Historical Society at the time, Laurie Mercier, who encouraged her to write folk songs from Montana’s oral histories to combine her love of stories from the older generation and her love of folk music. Curly and Kate received two legislative grants from Montana’s Cultural Trust for Hansen to research and write songs from oral histories archived at the Montana Historical Society — in 1987-’89 for “Montana Memories” and 1990-’92 for “Hard Luck and Laughter.” Curly and Kate performed these songs around the state for over a decade, including six years funded by the Montana Committee for the Humanities Speakers Bureau. In 1995, Hansen was commissioned by the Northeastern Arts Network to interview older Montanans, along with community volunteers in Northeastern Montana and write songs and a musical score from these stories for the resulting play, “More Precious Than Gold.”
In 1998 she joined the faculty at Montana State University in Bozeman where she taught for over 13 years and earned the MSU-B Faculty Award for Excellence in 2009, her National Music Teachers Association certification, and maintained a private piano studio in Billings.
She has an undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and a multi-disciplinary Master’s in Music and Education degree from MSU-Billings, with additional graduate studies through Southern Methodist University.
Although registration is not required, it is encouraged so that there will be lunch for all attendees. To register or for more information, contact Sharon LaBonty at 406-263-9208.