Music Of Colonial Georgia: October 15th at 7:00 pm

Date: October 11, 2011
Contact: Jon Burpee, 912-638-3639

St. Simons Island, GA: Colonial Georgia was home to people from many different places. The diversity is surprising. The traditions of the Creek and Cherokee were supplemented by new groups of emigrants from England, Scotland, Salzburg and France. Europeans came to Georgia by their own free choice; other emigrants were forced. After the introduction of slavery, Africans became an important part of Georgia's culture. All these groups added to the unique story of Georgia's early years.

To examine this surprising diversity, Fort Frederica National Monument is hosting a special program entitled "Exploring the Music of Colonial Georgia." The program features music from a wide variety of cultures and explores the history and development of Georgia.

Long before English or Spaniards set foot upon Georgia's shore, the native people - including the Creek and Cherokee - had a long musical tradition. The settlers of Darien brought Scottish music and language to Georgia. Other languages and musical traditions were introduced by German-speaking Salzburgers and French Huguenots. The English brought music both sacred and secular to Georgia and enslaved Africans combined new music with strong traditions and rhythms to survive their difficult ordeal and hold on to hope. This program will give voice to all of these people and explore the dynamics of Georgia's diversity in an interactive way.

"Georgia's history is the story of many people arriving on Georgia's shores and adding to the mosaic of the region's culture," said Fort Frederica National Monument superintendent Mary Beth Wester. "This program is a fun way to learn this story."

The evening begins at 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 15th at the Fort Frederica visitor center. Entrance fees will be charged (adults 16 years old plus, $3.00, children 15 years and younger, free admission. National Park passes are valid for this program.