Dr. Steven Woodworth is passionate about
history. He teaches it at TCU, writes about it
in published articles and books, talks about it
with friends and family … and listens to it on
his iPod.
Q: How would you describe your musical
taste?
A: “Somewhat eclectic. I like anything from
bagpipes to sacred harp shape note singing.
I also enjoy more formal choral music, some
band music and even some easy listening from
the 70s.’
Q: Have you always been a fan of bagpipes?
A: “There are some times when you’re just in
the mood for bagpipes. It’s usually when I need
to get pumped up for something.”
Q: If you could play any instrument in any band,
what would it be?
A: “I would play the sousaphone in the Ohio
State marching band. In one of their songs, the
band writes the word “Ohio’ as they walk out on
the field. At the end, the sousaphone player struts
out and dots the “i.’ I’d like to be that guy.”
Q: Where does your musical influence come
from?
A: “My parents, mostly. I was raised in a very
conservative home and was taught to love choral
music and hymns. My dad was a broadlyeducated
man with a broad taste in music,
from classical to bagpipes. I guess it rubbed off
on me.”
Dances from Terpsichore Sinners and
Saints
“That’s medieval music.
It has a different
sound than most classical
music. It’s more
raw and vibrant. It’s
vigorous. I love the
cadences.”
Beach Springs Soundtrack to Ken Burns’
Lewis & Clark: The
Journey of the Corps
of Discovery
“This is my favorite
cut from this album.
It really gets across
the message of Lewis
and Clark’s marching on. It’s a calm, but determined,
moving on. I listen to this when I’m
writing and trying to press on in my work.”
The Great Escape The Longest Day
“The Great Escape is a
movie about American
POWs escaping during
World War II. It’s
a very stirring, rousing
song that I also listen
to when I’m writing to
get inspiration. It’s history.”
Auld Lang Syne Dark Island
“This is a bagpipe
medley done by the
Black Watch. They are
a famous regiment
in the British Army. I
listen to this when I
need to get fired up
and motivated.”
In Sweetest Union Join Saints Bound
for Heaven
“This is shape note
music. It’s also called
sacred harp music
after a hymnal book
referring to the human
voice as a sacred harp.
Shape note singers are not performers. They’re
singing for themselves and God. I love choral,
hymnal music.”
Ohio State fight song album drum cadences
“I root for Ohio State
like I root for the Chicago
Bears. I’m not a
fan of Ohio State as a
university, but I like the
football team and the
band. I listen to the band’s music when I’m
writing and when I need to get pumped up.”