AADL Talks To: Dianne Baker, Songwriter and Co-Author of "This Is The Town That Was," an Original Musical Written for Ann Arbor's Sesquicentennial in 1974

Mon, 08/05/2024 - 8:21am

In this episode, AADL Talks To Dianne Baker. Dianne is a prolific songwriter who began writing children’s songs in the 1960s after coming to the University of Michigan to attend nursing school. She has collaborated with teachers, educators, and health professionals and has been recognized nationally for her commitment to the therapeutic effects of music. Baker has performed at Hill Auditorium, the Power Center, the Art Fair, the Ark, and in countless public school classrooms, both solo and in tandem with other notable musicians such as Percy “Mr. Bones” Danforth. She is known for her songs about Michigan history and, in particular, for “This Is The Town That Was,” an original musical written with collaborator Carol Duffy Sheldon for Ann Arbor’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1974. Check out some of Dianne's sheet music and lyrics in the Dianne Baker Collection. 

"This Is The Town That Was," A Musical History of Ann Arbor: A Recording of the December 16, 1974 Performance

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 8:11pm

On December 16, 1974, Ann Arbor concluded its year-long sesquicentennial celebration with a performance of "This Is The Town That Was" at Hill Auditorium, presented here online for the first time. This historical musical, written by Ann Arbor teachers Dianne Baker and Carol Duffy, was performed by Ann Arbor Public Schools students from Abbot, Angell, Newport, and Pittsfield Elementary Schools and Forsythe Junior High School. Produced by Carol Duffy, Joan May, Sue Laughlin, and Lillian Holtfreter, the play was narrated by Judge Sandy Elden and attorney William Richardson playing founders John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey.

As Ann Arbor School Board trustee Pat Pooley wrote in an Ann Arbor News editorial that day: "This musical history of our city has been made possible by a modest grant from the Ann Arbor Schools, the opening of Hill Auditorium without charge by the University of Michigan, and the unstinting efforts of teachers, parents, townspeople, and especially, the stars of the show, the children, to conclude Ann Arbor's sesquicentennial year in the spirit of active community involvement in which we all take pride."

This production features several songs written by Dianne Baker. Sheet music is available for The Naming of the Streets and Ann's Arbor We Will Sing You A Song.