05/26/2026
“George M. Cohan’s Irish American Patriotism on Broadway,” a lecture-recital presented by musicologist Dr. Elizabeth T. Craft, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on June 14 at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Remembered today for classic tunes like “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Give My Regards to Broadway,” Cohan has been called “the father of musical comedy” and his statue stands in the heart of New York’s theater district. This program will explore how the legendary Irish American playwright and songwriter used his work to navigate themes of immigration, patriotism, and belonging, helping to shape both American identity and Broadway during a time of significant social change. It will feature performances by Dr. Thomas Glenn, Caitlin Corbett, Sam Plumb, Ella Mei Williamson, and pianist Dr. Carol Anderson.
This event is part of the Society for American Music (SAM) initiative Sounding the Nation at 250, a nationwide series of lectures, recitals, and exhibits celebrating the rich and diverse musical heritage of the Americas. Timed to coincide with commemorative events surrounding the U.S. Semiquincentennial, Sounding the Nation at 250 highlights the essential role music and the arts have played in expressing the hopes, struggles, identities, and aspirations of communities across time. The series honors the artists, musicians, and creators whose work has shaped American culture while also looking forward to a future in which the arts continue to foster creativity, connection, and shared civic life.
Founded in 1975, the Society for American Music is dedicated to the study, teaching, creation, and dissemination of all musics of the Americas. As a non-profit, scholarly and educational organization, SAM serves academics, librarians, composers, performers, students, and members of the general public, fostering dialogue across disciplines and communities.
Sounding the Nation at 250 invites audiences to listen closely—to the sounds of the past, the voices of the present, and the possibilities of the future.
For more information about Sounding the Nation at 250, please visit www.sam250.org.
