Sylvain will speak about the research project he conducted to explore the songs left to him by his grandmother Elisa Thibodeau. For decades after Thibodeau’s death the notebook remained forgotten, until Sylvain and a cousin, fiddler Steve Muise, started to look for melodies to accompany lyrics.

The program will explore some of these recovered songs from his mémère’s notebook and the process Sylvain went through to resurrect them. In the course of the project, he worked at the Acadian Archives at the University of Maine at Fort Kent and interviewed family members. Many of the songs Sylvain researched were on the verge of extinction.

“This is a great example of the way history and culture can come together” said Franco-American Collection Coordinator James Myall. “At the Collection we like to make the link between the past and present, and demonstrate that the Franco-American culture in Maine isn’t just a historical phenomenon, but very much alive. I’m sure most of us have songs we only half remember from our childhoods and Robert’s project shows us that it’s possible to keep old music alive and relevant today.”

The program is free and open to everyone, but donations are welcome. No reservations are needed. Light refreshments will be served. USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College is at 51 Westminster Street. For more information, call 207-753-6545, email franco@usm.maine.edu or visit www.usm.maine.edu/franco.

Copy the Story Link