It’s been 150 years since “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” became popular during the American Civil War. That bit of trivia prompted Nancy Herther, a librarian at the University of Minnesota, to plan an April 17 event at the University of Minnesota related to the history of protest music.

“In pulling together the event, I’ve been impressed with the amount of information and the role that protest has played here at the U throughout our history,” Herther said.

For the April 17 event at Ferguson Hall, she’s found enthusiastic collaborators, including University of Minnesota students and faculty members who will perform protest music and engage in discussions about the historical significance of protest music.

Mark Pedelty, an associate professor of communication studies, will perform with his band and lead a discussion of music as environmental protest.

“About half of the music and discussion will be directly about protest music in a larger sense,” said Pedelty, who added that the event is “more of a teach-in on protest and environmental music.” He has recruited University of Minnesota students to perform and participate in the discussions.

What: Teach in on Protest and Environmental Music
When: April 17, 4 to 5 p.m.
Where: 280 Ferguson Hall, West Bank Campus, University of Minnesota

Event Schedule
4:00 to 4:20 p.m.: The band, Lynhurst, featuring University of Minnesota students Jacob and Matt Abdo, will perform “Greenback Dollar” and “The Times They are a Changin’.” A group of students from the freshmen seminar class in COMM 1901, Environmental Communication, will lead a discussion.

4:20 to 4:40 p.m.: Two students from COMM 1901 will perform two classical pieces, followed by a discussion on classical music as protest music.

4:40 to 5:00 p.m.: Mark Pedelty’s band will perform “Dump the Bosses Off Your Back” and one original song. Included will be a discussion of music as environmental protest.

NOTE: A related exhibit on the history of protest music will run through April at Wilson Library. It features books and resources on protest music from the Civil War to the turbulent 1960s anti-Vietnam war movement to the Arab Spring.