On Sunday, July 12 at 6 PM, Music,Gettysburg! will present a concert entitled “Elsie Singmaster: One Author, TwoLocations,” to support the documentary film being made about Elsie SingmasterLewars. While admission is free, every penny of the offering received will goto support this project to shine a light on one of Gettysburg’s most famousresidents.
In the early to mid-20thcentury Elsie Singmaster Lewars was one of the most popular and honored authorsin America. A Gettysburg resident and community force, her novels and shortstories appeared in literary journals, popular magazines, newspapers, andanthologies. Her subjects ranged from Pennsylvania German life to the Civil Warto American history, and her intended audiences included children, youngadults, and grown-ups. From her home on Seminary Ridge, she led the developmentof the Adams County Library System and the Adams County Chapter of the RedCross, and contributed to the life and growth of Gettysburg Seminary, of whichher father was president.
Now there will be a majordocumentary film about her life and work. Produced by honored Gettysburgfilm-makers Jake Boritt and Leah Bordatto, it is being spearheaded and based onthe scholarship of Susan Hill, who has been researching Singmaster for decades.The documentary, supported by the Macungie Historical Society and the AdamsCounty Historical Society, will be filmed in Gettysburg and Macungie and willinclude scenes in her homes and selections from her writings.
To make this filming possible, thebenefit concert will be held in the Gettysburg chapel of United LutheranSeminary, just across the street from the house she lived in for most of heradult life, now the president’s residence. The concert will include narrative,printed quotations from articles and letters, and music inspired by her lifeand work. Performers include baritone Wayne Hill, sopranoSusan Hochmiller, violinist Ryan Kozack, organist Jonathan Noel and an ensembleof several talented young Adams County singers.
More information about the concertis available at www.musicgettysburg.orgor by writing info@musicgettysburg.org