Program description

From Davenport's earliest days as a frontier river town, its residents displayed a marked musical sensibility, which crescendoed to a passion upon the arrival of Davenport’s first German settlers in the 1840s. These new arrivals hungered for the rich musical experience they had taken for granted in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Possessing the know-how to systematically train musicians; organize, build, and run musical groups and endeavors; and solicit and appeal to the public for support, the Germans set about to do so, to the awe and delight of their fellow Davenporters.

By the early 20th century, though its population was only 40,000, Davenport had a vibrant, diversified economic base which made it one of the most prosperous cities in the nation, able to nurture and support a multitude of musical organizations as well as hundreds of professional musicians in orchestras, bands, choirs, and chamber ensembles. This session will outline the features of this advanced musical ecosystem, built largely by Davenport’s Germans, and point out echoes and remnants of that culture within Davenport’s modern music environment.

1:30 refreshments
2:00 program

Free for members, included in regular admission for non-members.

About the Speaker

Gates Thomas is a freelance composer, arranger and music director. Born and raised in Davenport, he was based in New York City for 25 years, writing for the Lionel Hampton Big Band, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Chris Willis, The New American Orchestra and many others. Since moving back to Davenport in October 2020, Gates has maintained his freelance career, and continues to serve as Professor of Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In November 2022, he assumed duties as music director of the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of the Quad-Cities, and in November 2024 he was appointed Executive and Artistic Director of Davenport’s Deanery School of Music.

☕️ BYOM!
Guests are welcome to bring their own mugs if they wish. Disposable cups are provided, but help us reduce waste and bring a favorite mug!

Not a member? Memberships start at $45 a year and grant free admission to the museum anytime. Your membership includes admission to all of our Kaffee und Kuchen programs plus discounts on workshops, special events, gift shop purchases, and more. Visit the front desk or purchase a membership online.

*Guests will be asked to present their membership cards at the front desk if they registered for the program as a member. If you are unsure of your membership status or need a replacement membership card, please contact christa@gahc.org or call 563-322-8844 x0

Photography Policy: By responding to this event, you are giving your consent for the German American Heritage Center and Museum to use any photographs taken of you during the program for marketing purposes. We appreciate your support in helping us share the impact of our events with a wider community audience.

Contact the host of Kaffee und Kuchen: Hamburg on Mississippi: Davenport's Germans and the Musical Mecca of the West

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