Great American Songbook Foundation

Great American Songbook Foundation Our mission is to inspire and educate by celebrating the Great American Songbook.

Songbook Library & Archives: Preserve and Access the Songbook
Songbook Academy: Premiere youth music intensive focused on the Songbook
Perfect Harmony: Songbook music resource for older adults
Songbook Exhibits: Interactive multimedia experiences
Songbook Hall of Fame: Celebrating the creators and performers of the Songbook

Something we love doing is talking with people about what the Great American Songbook means to them. For every listener,...
06/16/2026

Something we love doing is talking with people about what the Great American Songbook means to them. For every listener, performer and fan, the Songbook can inspire something different, and that continued growth and connection is one of the many reasons we are proud to help preserve its history for future generations.

We were honored to be mentioned in this recent History.com article exploring the meaning and legacy of the Great American Songbook, and we are excited for everyone to experience our upcoming exhibit that will dive even deeper into that topic.

Read the article here: https://www.history.com/articles/great-american-songbook

We are just five weeks away from the 2026 Songbook Academy in Concert!Songbook Academy in Concert celebrates the endurin...
06/13/2026

We are just five weeks away from the 2026 Songbook Academy in Concert!

Songbook Academy in Concert celebrates the enduring spirit of American popular music through the voices of the next generation. As the culminating performance of the Songbook Academy®, this inspiring evening brings together exceptional young vocalists from across the nation to honor our rich musical legacy.

Hosted by Songbook Foundation founder and five-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, the concert features standout solos and vibrant ensemble numbers reflecting the breadth, diversity and timeless appeal of the Great American Songbook.

We hope you will join us for this can't miss performance on Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m.

Get your tickets today or sign up for our national livestream at https://thecenterpresents.org/songbookacademy

We are just one month away from students arriving for the start of Songbook Academy Week 2026! We can't wait to welcome ...
06/12/2026

We are just one month away from students arriving for the start of Songbook Academy Week 2026! We can't wait to welcome this talented group of performers and for them to have the chance to share their incredible talents with you!

For more information on how you can purchase tickets to experience the Songbook Academy 2026 public events visit TheSongbook.org/SongbookAcademy26

Today on International Archives Day, we are celebrating the incredible work of our Songbook Library & Archives team! Eve...
06/09/2026

Today on International Archives Day, we are celebrating the incredible work of our Songbook Library & Archives team!

Every day, this passionate team works to preserve and share the stories behind the more than 500,000 historic items in our collection. From cataloging rare arrangements and digitizing never-before-seen collections to sharing artifacts with the public, their work helps bring music history to life for new generations of fans, researchers, and artists.

Want to see some of their work firsthand? Registration is now open for our next public tour of the Songbook Library & Archives taking place this fall on October 6 at 6 p.m. at TheSongbook.org/ArchivesTours.

Can’t make it in person? Be sure to check out our virtual archives visit for a small glimpse behind the scenes - https://youtu.be/31W3qC83z6c?si=lfLVPUTmtz2igBmu

Today we celebrate the birthday of the legendary entertainer and “King of Cool,” Dean Martin!From his timeless recording...
06/07/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of the legendary entertainer and “King of Cool,” Dean Martin!

From his timeless recordings of Great American Songbook standards to the unforgettable charm of "The Dean Martin Show" and his iconic friendships with fellow Rat Pack members, Martin left a lasting mark on the world of entertainment.

To honor his legacy, we’re sharing photos from the Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin collection in the Songbook Library & Archives. These special images feature Dean alongside fellow entertainers including Joe Williams and Tony Martin. Despite sharing the same last name, Dean Martin and Tony Martin were not actually related, as “Martin” was a stage name adopted by both artists.

What’s your favorite Dean Martin memory, song, or performance? Share it with us in the comments below!

There’s something magical about a great road trip soundtrack. Whether you're cruising with the windows down, singing alo...
06/06/2026

There’s something magical about a great road trip soundtrack. Whether you're cruising with the windows down, singing along with friends, or enjoying the scenery on a summer drive, music has a way of making the journey even more memorable.

This month’s Perfect Harmony® resources celebrate the songs that accompany us along the way. Performed by talented alumni of the Songbook Academy®, these selections invite us to turn up the volume, reflect, and enjoy the adventure, wherever the road may lead. So buckle up, sing along, and enjoy the ride!

Perfect Harmony is designed for care partners of older adults to lead meaningful music experiences using timeless songs that have connected people for decades.

Learn more at TheSongbook.org/ph-resources

This week we welcomed our largest tour group ever to the Songbook Library & Archives! It was an absolute pleasure to hos...
06/05/2026

This week we welcomed our largest tour group ever to the Songbook Library & Archives! It was an absolute pleasure to host the group from Cleveland as they received a behind the scenes look at the preservation work our Library & Archives team does each day.

If you are interested in a tour of the Library & Archives stay tuned for information about our Fall public tour being announced next week!

In just six weeks, the stage of the Payne & Mencias Palladium will come alive with some of the nation's most talented yo...
06/04/2026

In just six weeks, the stage of the Payne & Mencias Palladium will come alive with some of the nation's most talented young performers at the 2026 Songbook Showcase!

Set to take place on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m., this special evening features solo performances from all 40 participants of this year's Songbook Academy®, along with special appearances by Great American Songbook Foundation founder and five-time GRAMMY nominee Michael Feinstein and acclaimed Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez.

Best of all, tickets are just $5, making this unforgettable night one of the best entertainment values of the summer.

Secure your seats today at TheSongbook.org/SongbookShowcase

The Songbook Academy receives generous support from the Efroymson Family Fund, Traditions Senior Communities, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the Ira & Leonore S. Gershwin Trusts, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Salon 01, Westfield Veterinary Care and the City of Carmel.

We’ve loved seeing our hometown of Carmel, Indiana, recognized by multiple national publications as one of the best plac...
06/03/2026

We’ve loved seeing our hometown of Carmel, Indiana, recognized by multiple national publications as one of the best places to live in the country. We couldn’t agree more!

Recently, Travel + Leisure featured an article that celebrated Carmel as a top place to live in the Midwest, highlighting the city’s award-winning schools, thriving arts scene, and vibrant community spaces. We were especially honored to see the Songbook Foundation recognized as one of the cultural destinations that helps make Carmel such a special place to call home.

From exhibits and educational programs to concerts, public events, and community celebrations, we are proud to contribute to the rich cultural life that continues to make Carmel a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Congratulations, City of Carmel, Indiana Government! We’re grateful to be part of a community where arts, culture, and creativity help make life a little more inspiring every day.

The Great American Songbook wouldn’t be what it is without the contributions of LGBTQIA+ artists, composers, lyricists, ...
06/01/2026

The Great American Songbook wouldn’t be what it is without the contributions of LGBTQIA+ artists, composers, lyricists, arrangers, and performers.

From Billy Strayhorn’s groundbreaking compositions and arrangements to Angela Morley’s remarkable work as a composer and arranger, and from Frances Faye’s trailblazing career in cabaret to countless other artists who challenged expectations and expanded the possibilities of American popular music, LGBTQIA+ creators have helped shape the music that continues to connect us today.

Some lived openly; others could not. Yet their influence can still be heard in the songs, performances, and musical traditions that resonate across generations.

We are proud to be home to collections that celebrate LGBTQIA+ artists and their music. By preserving and sharing their stories, we honor their contributions while supporting LGBTQIA+ creators shaping music and culture today.

Address

1 Carter Green/The Palladium
Carmel, IN
46032

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13178442251

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