Hillsdale College CCA The Great American Songbook

Hillsdale College regularly provides a forum for discussion about various topics of interest during its quarterly Center for Constructive Alternatives (CCA) program. A recent CCA at Hillsdale College was titled “The Great American Songbook”. This topic discussed how American songwriters composed what has come to be known as the Great American Songbook. Influenced by Jazz, and written mostly for Broadway shows and Hollywood musicals, these songs are identifiably American and say something about our character. Songs written by the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and others were made popular by some of our favorite American singers–Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Tony Bennett, and Billie Holiday.

Recent Hillsdale College CCA events have featured diverse themes that include the Korean War, the Art of Rhetoric, and the Great Society, plus Big Hollywood, How to Think About Islam, Cars and Trucks/Markets and Governments. Authors, editors, politicians, economists, entertainers, and military personnel participate as guest speakers in these diverse 3 day events at Hillsdale College that are open to the public, but require reservations. 

 

Famous guests have included former president Ronald Reagan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, plus Clarence Thomas, P.J. O’Rourke, Ann Coulter, along with director Peter Bogdonavich and Actress Shirley Jones.

Lodging near Hillsdale College is limited for these special events, so many guests take the 7 1/2 minute drive to stay at the Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville. Requests for more information about upcoming CCA events and invitations to these events can be coordinated by contacting CCA@hillsdale.edu.