Dr. Stacey Jocoy 

Professor of Musicology, School of Music at Texas Tech University 

"From Yankee Doodle Dandy to Hamilton: Music that Makes the Nation" 

From its inception, this place we call the United States has been singing about itself. First it was in division and strife with England, finding clever musical ways to riposte their insulting views of the rebelling colonies. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with his well-known feather, was one of the main protagonists of this socio-political combat. The British also featured in the origins of our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was originally a convivial, English drinking song. 19th-century culture negotiated the civil war through music—redefining the country as it divided and came back as a different entity. And modern times has witnessed the success of Hamilton, which has dramatically reimagined the founding fathers, as we continue to find meaning and American identity through music.

Video coming soon.