Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper

The Oregon Trail comes to life

Gunn to perform locally at Sidney High School

Donna Gunn, a Nebraska native, will transform the Sidney High School Auditorium into the greatest westward journey through music and storytelling.

The Lied Center's "Arts Across Nebraska" in Lincoln, Neb., is bringing Gunn's tour "Music on the Trail" to town for music and history lovers to experience life on the Oregon Trail through the piano.

Gunn will perform at Sidney's Fine Arts Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

"Music on the Trail" is a combination of taking concepts of classical styles with American Folk music," Gunn said. "It's a way for people to revisit information about the history in a different way and maybe provide new information to people."

Along with Gunn's performance of the soundtrack of the Western Expansion is a PowerPoint that shares photos and facts about the Oregon Trail and the slaves' journey to freedom.

According to the Lied Center, Gunn's interactive performance invites children and adults of all ages to sing along to the songs of the Oregon Trail as well as different interpretations of familiar songs.

"Music on the Trail" shares the importance of music in the lives of pioneers explorers and revolutionaries as they explored the West as well as the Underground Railroad.

Her work reflects material from more than 400 years of musical history. Gunn also stems inspiration from her own education as well as her children's.

"The seed was planted in 1967 when my elementary school celebrated Nebraska's centennial," Gunn said. "We dressed up and transformed wagons into covered wagons and retraced the trail. When my own children were in fourth grade, they were able to spend a day in a one room classroom, so the folk and classical music came in to play and really inspires each other."

The solo pianist has been in the music business for more than 25 years while teaching workshops and providing classes at her private piano studio.

Gunn has taught and performed in a variety of venues such as the Lied Center, small communities, Cornell University, the Netherlands and Italy just to name a few.

"I have performed in western Nebraska before, but never in Sidney," Gunn said. "I really am looking forward to performing there."

Gunn will also be hosting a workshop for students in Sidney on Wednesday.

During workshops and residencies, she interconnects the music, multimedia and experiential activities. Gunn encourages students to sing, create, compose, dance and listen to develop a holistic understanding of music and its place in the world.

"I hope to keep increasing the exposure of "Music on the Trail," as well as keep meeting the needs of my students," Gunn said. "One of the greatest accomplishments being able to perform and educate is just being able to touch the hearts and emotions of the listeners."

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 02/29/2024 15:52