What do the songs “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” all have in common? They are all songs of war that are from the last two centuries. What else do these songs have in common? They are all part of a program the Wieting Theatre and Opera House will be hosting as a forerunner to their Fine Arts Performance Series, which will commence on Sunday, March 9.

Katherine Eberle and her students from her studio at the University of Iowa, School of Music, will perform War and Patriotic Songs with Wenjuan Peng at the piano, on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.

“War and Patriotic Songs” is a recital of songs that capture many facets of warfare in recent history. Serious songs, humorous songs, and protest songs from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the war in Vietnam describe the patriotism, pride, sacrifice, suffering, anger, and controversy that arise when we call our men and women to take up arms for their country.” as stated in the University of Iowa Art Share program.

As Veteran’s Day is Monday, Nov. 11, the Wieting wishes to honor our veterans by offering this performance to our veterans at half price.

In its inaugural year, The Wieting Theatre and Opera House Fine Art Performance Series will host a variety of live cultural events beginning March 9, 2014, with the ballet and modern dance troupe, Dance in Company. Monday, April 21, will be the Iowa Brass Quintet and a Master Brass Class for regional youth. The Pan American Steel Drum Band will perform on Sunday, May 18. June’s performance, TBD, will feature Alan Huckleberry, Ph.D. with a piano recital, lecture open to the public, and a Master Class with regional piano students. Information for the Master Classes for students will be sent to regional music, band, and dance instructors as well as being available in the local newspapers.

Tickets for the Fine Arts Performance series will be sold at the performance of “War and Patriotic Songs” for $25 for adults and $12.50 for students. After Nov. 10, the cost will be $30 for adults and $15 for students.

Since the holiday season is soon to be upon us, the Fine Arts Performance Series tickets would make a wonderful stocking stuffer for a family member.

After Nov. 10, tickets can be purchased at the Wieting Theatre during movie times, from any guild member, Mary Fasse-Shaw (484-5355) or Michelle Evans (641-751-0775).

The Wieting Theatre was originally built as an Opera House and place for live music and theatre. In the last year and a half, the Wieting has hosted several Blue Grass groups, a Country Western artist, several speakers, film documentaries, and The Old Creamery Theatre’s Company’s Drama Camp. The Guild believes it is part of its mission to bring live cultural events to the community as well as showing current movies. Partnering with the University of Iowa’s Art Share program will bring a variety of fine arts events to a broad audience.

War and Patriotic Songs or sometimes referred to as Songs of War is a choral performance made up of University of Iowa music majors. The show will end with an invitation from the performers for the audience members to sing “God Bless America” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The Wieting is looking forward to hosting this event as well as promoting and hosting the first Wieting Theatre and Opera House Fine Arts Series.

This series has been made possible, in part, by both an event grant and a marketing grant from Iowa Tourism Grant Program.