Arts and Entertainment

Gallery talk explores the legacy of Fred Waring

The 110th birthday anniversary of legendary Fred Waring will be celebrated with a gallery talk by Eileen Akin and Peter Kiefer from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, in the Diversity Studies Room, 109 Pattee Library, Penn State University Park campus. The talk will be followed by a sharing of a ceremonial 110th birthday cake. The exhibit "Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians: A Musical Legacy" is on display through Aug. 1, in this room. The event is free and open to the public.

Waring, the famous bandleader and choral conductor, is called "the man who taught America how to sing." Born in nearby Tyrone, Pa., on June 9, 1900, Waring was a pioneer in every field of show business as well as music education, publishing and manufacturing.

It was at Penn State that Fred Waring got his start, and he later served his alma mater as a trustee and distinguished alumnus. In 1984, he designated Penn State to house his collection of archives and memorabilia. The Fred Waring Collection, formally known as Fred Waring’s America: A Collection of Memories, part of Penn State University Archives in The Eberly Family Special Collections Library,  is located on the third floor of Pattee Library, west. It contains historical memorabilia reflecting Fred Waring’s lifetime as a choral conductor and entertainer.

For more information on the collection and hours, call 814-863-2911. Exhibit hours are the standard hours of operation for Pattee Library, available at 814-865-3063.
 

Last Updated January 9, 2015