Scott Schwartz typed away at his computer, working on the script for Granny’s Porch, an upcoming part of this month’s events. He spoke fervently about the importance of November, American Music Month, and the importance of music, not just as sounds but as an art form.

“Art and music are not two separate entities … they are literally in many respects joined together,” said Schwartz, associate professor of Library Administration and archivist for Music and Fine Arts. “The reality of it is that most of us cross over whether you like it or not, it’s the nature of who we are. Even Jimi Hendrix listened to Bach and Ellington. He probably didn’t play them at any of his concerts, but nevertheless he was willing to listen to understand that other perspective.”

The arts cannot be separated because they are intertwined, he said. Music and art can transcend boundaries, and it is this perspective that American Music Month tries to get across. In celebration of the month, the University is sponsoring various music and art events throughout the entire month of November.

“We’re not about music made by Americans, but rather music in America which encompasses all the cultures and how they interconnect,” Schwartz said.

One of the most prominent features of this month is a rare Stradivarius quartet, on loan to the University from the Smithsonian Museum of American History until Dec. 3.

Robert La France, associate curator of Pre-Modern Art at Krannert, said that what is special about these instruments is not only the person who made them, but the instruments themselves.

“These four instruments were made in his workshop,” La France said. “He made over 1100 instruments, of which only 650 survive. But there is an even smaller set, which he decorated in his shop, and there are only about 11 surviving instruments.”

Although these instruments are inherently tied to Italy, there is a bit of American history in these pieces. For that reason, they are displayed in the American History Museum and are a part of the University’s celebration for American Music, said La France.

Aside from the Stradivari instruments, there are various performances and exhibitions being held all month. These shows vary from wind instruments to Hawaiian guitars to string instruments.

These string instruments are similar, whether a fiddle or violin, they use the same four strings yet in the playing produce a completely different sound. According to the Sousa Archives Web site, Granny’s Porch brings everyone back to an era of old time music, all with a feel of historical Nashville.

“Granny’s Porch brings local musicians together, both children and adults, and puts on a program in a kind of Grand Ole Opry environment,” said Schwartz. “You get this feeling that this is the other side.”

Also being showcased this month is Eddie Alkire, who was, according to the Web site, the innovator of the Hawaiian guitar.

There is a collection of papers, music instruments, business records, photos, and sound recordings that record the evolution of Hawaiian guitar music located in the Sousa Archives.

There will be a presentation on the ‘Genius of Eddie Alkire’ which will be given by his son, Richard C. Alkire, member of the Electrochemical Engineering Department. This allows for a portrait of Alkire as a real person, rather than secondhand information from a scholar, said Schwartz.

“In essence, it brings the whole family element together that shows families and communities are wrapped up in music as well as the performing arts,” he said.

Aside from these events, there are many more that are going on all month, all of which can be found on the Sousa Archives Web site.

This month seeks to unite the different types of music with art, and engage people to see past genres and challenge themselves. It seeks to find different ways to present music in ways that are engaging, fun, and informative. That is basically the purpose of American Music Month, said Schwartz.