Thomasville honors Stephen Collins Foster

Jun. 21—THOMASVILLE — Thomasville First Church welcomed Jack Pope on Tuesday afternoon as he honored the life of Stephen Collins Foster, known as America's first full time composer.

From his birth on July 4, 1826, in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania to his untimely death just 37 years later, the story of Foster was beautifully narrated as Pope, along with accompanist Avery Atnip, performed some of Foster's most notable songs.

From tragic ballads like "Hard Times" to more humorous songs like "If You've Only Got a Mustache" and classics like "I Dream of Jeanie" and "Oh! Susana," Pope performed many of Foster's songs as the crowd moved throughout the life of one of the greatest composers of the nineteenth century. Detailed accounts of his economic struggles, Foster's personal life, and success in composition entertained the crowd between songs.

A tale of Thomasville during the American Civil War and how the city, as well as Tallahassee, avoided capture by Union forces was shared. The Thomasville First Church itself was discussed, as it helped nurse a group of prisoners back to health after a fever broke out at the time.

As the performance came to a close, the audience was treated to an early Fourth of July celebration as "America the Beautiful" was sung to honor the US and its first full time composer.