Our Mission
The Great American Songbook Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and educate by celebrating the Great American Songbook.
Your Individual Partner contribution is 100% tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. View the Foundation's Gift Acceptance Policy.
Contact Us
Questions about Individual Giving:
Jo Garcia
317.844.9454
JGarcia@TheSongbook.org
Questions about Corporate or Foundation Giving:
Elizabeth Elliott
317.819.3532
EElliott@TheCenterPresents.org
Love is in the air...
If there is one common theme in the timeless lyrics of the Great American Songbook, it's that crazy little thing called love. Whether it's romantic love, love of country, love of family, friends, animals, food, drink, you name it, there is a song that celebrates the feeling that your lonely days are over and life is like a song.
This Valentine's Day we want you to feel the love from our Songbook family through a special virtual valentine that will underscore your day with music. Please note: Scrolling beyond this point may result in warm and fuzzy feelings and the urge to hum or tap your feet. All side effects are harmless and good for the soul.
So, stay little valentine stay, because as Lorenz Hart famously wrote, "each day is Valentine's Day."
Quick links
Short on time? Jump ahead to a topic that pulls at your heartstrings:
- Love songs from the vault
- "There was love all around" in the Songbook Archives!
- "Down with Love" playlist for the Anti-Valentine
- "Let's Fall in Love" Songbook Academy Masterclass Moment
- Love in pairs with Songbook Duets
- "What the World Needs Now"
To start your heart a-thumpin', let's begin with a few hand-selected love songs from our aspiring young Songbook Academy singers of yesteryear. There's something for every type of lovesick listener in this mix of performance replays that are being released exclusively for you!
"There was love all around..."
If you are a fan of the classic American musical, you may recognize this lyric from a show that is coincidentally back on Broadway just in time for Valentine's Day, Meredith Willson's The Music Man. Although the plot seems to center around a traveling salesman conning his way into the hearts (and pocketbooks) of the stubborn residents of River City, Iowa, those who are familiar with the storyline know it has much more to do with Harold Hill falling in love with a certain Madam Librarian than his fraudulent selling of band instruments and uniforms.
The love story that unravels in The Music Man paved the way for one of the most iconic love ballads in musical theatre history titled, "Till There Was You." This tune crossed over into the pop music sphere more than once, as it was recorded by numerous artists, including Doris Day who wrote to Meredith that it "must be my favorite song in the whole world." It was also rumored to have been one of the songs that got The Beatles their first record deal when they were attempting to make their break into the American music scene. Enjoy several renditions of the tune including a sing-along led by 2021 Songbook Academy alumna, Piper Murphy, who shares her talents in Perfect Harmony.
If your heart is a-flutter from this musical masterpiece, it may just push you over the edge to learn that America's music man had his own real-life love story. Housed lovingly in the stacks of the Songbook Archives are the papers of Meredith Willson, including much of the physical history pertaining to his musical career, as well as the more personal treasures that preserve Meredith's life (and love) story.
In an ivory scrapbook titled "Rosemary & Meredith," you can view snapshots of Meredith's romance with his third wife Rosemary beginning on their wedding day, which fittingly took place on Feb. 14, 1968. From their first valentine to engagement announcements and congratulatory telegrams from famous friends like Frank Loesser, love is alive and well within the pages of Meredith's scrapbooks, which are being carefully preserved for generations to come.
If you would love to learn more about Meredith Willson, view our In the Archives with Michael Feinstein video series or visit our online exhibit, The Unsinkable Meredith Willson.
"Down with Love" for the Anti-Valentine
Now, for those of you who are feeling nauseous from all of this mushy stuff, we haven't forgotten about you. Valentine's Day isn't for everyone — and neither are love songs — so, thanks to the brilliant songwriters of the Songbook, we bring you a mini Anti-Valentine's Day playlist for the cynics at heart.
Ironically, one of the composers represented in our Anti-Valentine's Day playlist was also known for bringing the world some of the most romantic melodies of all time in his signature jazzy style. From "Stormy Weather" to "I've Got the World on a String," Harold Arlen was a creative genius on the keys — and we now house his piano here in the Songbook Archives to prove it! Learn more about Harold Arlen.
Fun fact: Did you know that you can see Harold Arlen's piano in person by visiting the Songbook Exhibit Gallery in Carmel, Indiana? Learn more.
Harold Arlen once said, "Music doesn't argue, discuss or quarrel. It just breathes the air of freedom," an idea that founder Michael Feinstein often shares with the talented students of the Songbook Academy as he urges them to breathe or float rather than force the delivery of a song.
Wondering what exactly Michael means by that? Find out in this exclusive release of a brand new Songbook Academy Masterclass Moment featuring 2019 alumna Sierra Safran singing the popular Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler tune, "Let's Fall in Love".
It seems that many of the classic love songs of the American Songbook come in the form of duets. Whether they are singing partners or life partners, these iconic duos give us all the feels.
Take another trip down lovers' lane with two iconic musical couples in our Collections Highlight series. Rudy Vallee and Niela Goodelle will bring you a story of love and heartbreak of the romantic nature, while Natalie and Nat King Cole share that age-old bond that can only belong to a parent and their child.
We can't thank you enough for sharing your love with us all year long through your support of the Great American Songbook Foundation. This musical valentine is our way of showing our gratitude and affection for YOU, a beloved member of our Songbook family.
As we conclude our virtual valentine, we leave you with a lyric made famous by Songbook Hall of Fame honoree, Dionne Warwick. More than ever, we know the world needs love.
Hopefully, our musical trip down lovers' lane will leave you feeling inspired to pick up the phone, send a letter or make a connection with the loved ones in your life. If you know someone who could use a little love today, we've put together a few musical surprises you could send their way (and keep for yourself!) to share the love.
Wishing you and yours a day, month, year, and lifetime full of love!
Affectionately yours,
The Great American Songbook Foundation
