by Nikole Gianopoulos
On Friday, October 17 at 7 p.m., Ingram Library’s Penelope Melson Society presented “Swing Time: An Extravaganza of Big Band Music from the World War II Era” in the University of West Georgia’s Campus Center Ballroom. This event was held in conjunction with the exhibit “Over Here and Over There: Georgia and Georgians in World War II” on display at Ingram Library through December 7.
Students and guests, many of whom who were in period dress, joined to celebrate the music that helped win World War II. They enjoyed a spectacular evening of live music and dance performances by UWG’s Jazz Ensemble, conducted by UWG Professor of Music Dr. Dan Bakos and UWG dance team “WOLFPRINTS” directed by Dr. Karen Clevenger, UWG alumna and current instructor in the department of Leadership and Instruction.
The historic event also included a theatre segment entitled "One Great Cause,” set in October 1944, which presented a scene from Saipan on the war front and then a scene involving civilians at home in Carrollton.
“Even in the midst of the darkest days of World War II, this uniquely American art form of swing and jazz music expressed a defiant hope for liberation and freedom,” said Ingram Library Manager of Development Catherine Hendricks, who called swing and jazz the unifying forces of the war. “This is the music -- and the spirit -- that we celebrated on October 17.”
Swing Time recalls an era when the world was at war and big band music was played everywhere and broadcast to millions overseas and on the home front via radio. Swing and jazz was the soundtrack for the war. Expressing a defiant hope for liberation and freedom, big band music had a unifying, patriotic effect, raising the morale of soldiers and inspiring Americans at home to fully support the war effort.
Students stood in line at the photo booth that recalled the era of the 1940s. A fedora, a nurses’ hat, a sailor’s hat, an army helmet, and many other fashionable hats of the era were provided to get you into character.
“My favorite part of the event was the photo booth. The classic hats and props made the pictures even more memorable,” said UWG freshman Emuesiri Emereje. “I really felt like I traveled back in time.”
Dr. Walter Todd and members of the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing were there with artifacts from World War II. They stood ready to introduce students and guests to the soldiers’ view of the struggle through the equipment that accompanied and sustained them though the rugged days and years of World War II. Guests were able to touch these items and ask questions of those who were sharing the artifacts.
“The campus center ballroom was turned into another era using music, film, dance, theater, artifacts, and more,” said Gail Reid, public speaking lecturer. “The evening offered an opportunity for students, the faculty and staff, and our community to return to and experience this critical time in America's history both at home and abroad.”
To see more pictures of the Swing Time event, visit UWG's Facebook gallery.
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