MEET THE CALDWELLS
Commissioned by and premiered at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, 2002
​Book by Meredith Bean McMath
Copyright-free 19th Century Music 

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This 40-minute interactive program re-creates a fundraiser held for the Abolitionist cause: an evening of parlor entertainment and news presented in the home of well known New England Abolitionists Josiah and Lucy Caldwell.

Singing Instructor Josiah Caldwell, his wife and niece have invited a few close friends and favored singing students for an evening of 19th c. dance, parlor games, and entertainment. As the evening is a fundraiser, the performers actively engage the audience in dance, games and song.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History commissioned McMath to write this work, and it was presented at the Hall of Musical Instruments in May of 2002 in conjunction with the museum's "Within these Walls" exhibit within a narrated overview (not needed for other performances)




SET: Dance Hall

ORCHESTRATION:
Violin
Flute
Cello
Mandolin

CAST:
Josiah Caldwell (Non-singer)
Mariah Caldwell (Non singer)
The Caldwell's Niece
Mother and daughter freed slaves (sopranos)
4 male guests
1 female guest

MUSIC:
Go Down Moses (Spiritual)
Oh, No, John (English Folk Song)
The Abolitionist Hymn (by William Lloyd Garrison to be sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”)
The Spanish Waltz (Dance Music pub. in 1818 attributed to Metz and Julius)
The Roger de Coverly (English and Scottish Country Dance tune)

RUNNING TIME: 40 minutes
FOR PERFORMANCE RIGHTS AND SHEET MUSIC,  contact Meredith Bean McMath by emailing her at 571-209-7386,

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