Where History Sings

Join us at 1 p.m. at the Bertha Bartlett Public Library for an afternoon of Story City history and music. Featuring 'City of Stories', a song cycle telling the history of Story City by Jarod Hart. In addition to the premiere of the Story City song cycle, the program will include several historically significant pieces. These include Bertha Bartlett’s song about Story City, which turns 100 years old this year, and “Overture Story City,” written by Nehemias Tjernagel in 1892. Originally composed for a full band, the overture survives in our collection with only a single Eb cornet part. After research and collaboration with the Chatfield Brass Band Library in Minnesota, additional parts were located and borrowed, allowing Jarod Hart to transcribe the work for piano. This newly accessible version will be performed at the May concert. Light refreshments will be served. Support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.