Don’t miss this upcoming event!

Music for the People: Discover an American Legacy 1935-1939

Saturday, October 18, 2025 
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Historic Kellogg Mansion
25 Colles Avenue, Morristown, NJ

Presented by Social Impact Studios and The Discovery Orchestra

Did you know that 2025 is the 90th Anniversary of the WPA’s Federal Music Project, the first arts program created as part of the New Deal? It helped keep our cultural music heritage alive and kept musicians working during the greatest economic depression in our country’s history. Come join Social Impact Studios and The Discovery Orchestra to celebrate this historical and cultural milestone.

Held at the historic Kellogg mansion in Morristown, Music for the People will feature activities for all ages and interests, including:

1:00 – 5:00 PM: All Exhibits Open

— Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Federal Music Project (FMP) Poster exhibit featuring posters during the Great Depression
— Hands-on poster making using the screen-printing process of the era – make your own to take home!
— Posters, books, and DVDs for purchase
— Beverages and light bites included

 

 

 

 

 

1:30 – 2:00 PM: WPA Program and its Posters “Fireside Chat”
By Ennis Carter, founder of Social Impact Studios and author and curator of Posters for the People: Art of the WPA. Join us for an informative discussion about the impact and importance of the WPA’s Federal Music Project, the first arts program created as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression – and how it was amplified through ground-breaking poster art from the era.

2:30 – 3:00 PM: Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo
The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo, comprised of Valerie and Benedict Turner, are ambassadors of Country Blues music, Piedmont-style fingerpicking, and roots percussion. Their mission is to help bring awareness to these unique aspects of African-American culture and the contributions of early blues artists through performing and teaching.

 

 

 

3:30 – 4:30 PM: Copland’s Quiet City Discovery Program
By George Marriner Maull, Artistic Director of The Discovery Orchestra. The Federal Music Project, a division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), commissioned over 7,300 musical compositions, including Copland’s Quiet City written in 1939. This haunting music—scored for trumpet, English horn, and strings—evokes the lonely solitude of a large city, like New York City, at night. In this multimedia exploration of the music, Maestro Maull will be joined by English hornist, Tyler Selvig.

 

 

 

$10 Adults, Kids Free!
Family-friendly event. 

BUY TICKETS

Sponsored by Susan Head and Anne Herbert.

Notes: Street parking only. The local authorities are aware of our event. Car permits are not needed.

The Kellogg Club, a Greek Revival mansion located in the heart of historic Morristown, is dedicated to preserving its architectural heritage. Please note that access to the mansion requires ascending steps.

For guests with accessibility needs: Please proceed up the private gravel driveway on the west side of the mansion (to the right if you are facing the mansion) and drop off in the circular back driveway, where there is a short flight of steps. After drop-off, we kindly ask that you park on the street.

The Discovery Orchestra makes every effort to accommodate the needs of individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities for all of its programs and events, as well as at its administrative office. Upon request, and with 2 weeks’ notice, specific accommodations will be made subject to our available resources for live events. Large print programs, braille materials, and audio-described services may also be available with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. Additional accessibility information can be found here.