Visitors to the recent Music Heritage Series at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center in Chesterton found more than just a few folksong selections played only by guitars.
Presented by Save the Tunes, a local musicians group that began in 1990, the theme this month was Movin’ On: Sails, Rails, and Trails.
“The Friends of the Dunes wanted to start a music program, and we began with one person — me,” said Save the Tunes founder and Chesterton resident Marti Pizzini. “We’ve grown over the years, but not everyone remains. It’s very informal and all volunteer. We’re here to support the interpretive music of the lakeshore. As we play our songs, we give a little history.”
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And they’re doing a very good job of that, as evidenced by the large audiences that attend each month. Performances, which are free to the public, usually host 50 to 75 people.
Each musician present sings and plays two songs for each program. Some also give a short background about their songs.
A few of the selections for this month’s theme included “King of the Road” by Roger Miller and “Sentimental Journey” written by Les Brown and Ben Homer.
“We really like this,” said Betty Bower of Michigan City, who attends each month with her husband John. “It’s different every month, but always interesting.”
There were even a few surprises at the recent unscripted concert.
One of them was a spontaneous dance routine from Crown Point resident Jim Obermeyer, who popped out of the audience to shuffle as Pizzini sang and played the song, “This Sand is Our Sand” — to the tune of “This Land is Our Land.”
Audience members sang along as they clapped to the beat of Obermeyer’s dance steps.
Musician Paul Mache of Chesterton has played the banjo with Save the Tunes since 1992. “I’ve gained a lot with this group,” he said “There’s a great commeraderie, I’ve met many new friends and it’s just a lot of fun to be here.”
Strictly a volunteer crew, the musicians used to practice together at Pizzini’s house and various church basements. “We don’t have to do that anymore, we’ve gotten good enough,” laughed band member Luke Smith.
The traditional music, which consists of folk songs, old standards and more, are played on various instruments such as the guitar, violin, banjo, hurdy gurdy and dulcimer.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Learn more
Save the Tunes continues its free, informal concerts monthly throughout the year in the auditorium at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. For more information, call 219-395-1882.