Music of Stephen Foster This Sunday

This Sunday we will hear the music of Stephen Foster (7/4/1826 – 1/13/1864), often called the "father of American music." Foster was a pioneering 19th-century songwriter whose work laid the foundation for popular music in the United States.

He composed over 200 songs (including "Oh! Susanna," "My Old Kentucky Home," and "Beautiful Dreamer"), many of which became deeply embedded in American culture. Foster's melodies combined elements of folk traditions and sentimental ballads, creating a uniquely American sound that resonated across social and regional lines.

Despite dying in poverty, his influence endures, as his songs continue to be performed, studied, and remembered as a key part of America's musical heritage.