Music & Merriment at Sea: The RMS Olympic’s Second-Class Grand Concert – 1 November 1920
Step aboard the RMS Olympic’s Second-Class Grand Concert of 1920, a musical evening held to support seamen’s charities. Discover the program lineup, notable performances, and its significance in ocean travel history.
Front Cover, Title Page with a Photograph of the RMS Olympic on this Second Class Grand Concert Program Held on Board the RMS Olympic on Monday, 1 November 1920. GGA Image ID # 12b732c3c5
A Night of Music & Charity Aboard the RMS Olympic 🎼🚢
The Grand Concert Program from 1 November 1920 offers a captivating look at entertainment aboard the RMS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic and the largest liner of its time still in service. This concert, held in Second Class, wasn’t just an evening of music—it was a charitable event dedicated to aiding seamen’s organizations, showcasing the communal spirit of transatlantic ocean travel in the post-World War I era.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this program provides valuable insights into:
✅ Entertainment and social life aboard an early 20th-century luxury liner
✅ The importance of charity and community support in maritime culture
✅ Passengers and performers—potentially useful for genealogical research
✅ The post-war revival of the White Star Line’s most successful ship
📌 This wasn’t just a concert—it was a testament to the resilience and camaraderie of ocean travelers during a period of global recovery.
Sister Ship of the RMS Titanic, The RMS Olympic of the White Star Line presented a Grand Concert to passengers in the Second Class to aid various seaman’s charities. It was held in the Second Class Saloon at 8:15 pm on Monday, 1 November 1920.
PROGRAM
Chairman: Mr. WALTER YOUNG
- Overture - “Poet & Peasant” - Olympic Orchestra
- Song - “If I might come to you” -Mrs. Groesbeck
- Dialogue - “Who’s Afraid” - Miss B. & Master B. Clark
- Song - “Until” - Mr. W. Murdoch
- Violin Solo - “Spanish Dance” - Mr. ]m. Camahort
- Song - “Bubbles” - Miss E. Stalhuth
- Recitation - “Making him feel at home” - Miss B. Clark
- Song - “Where my Caravan has rested” - Miss Wall
INTERMISSION
PROGRAM (Part Two)
- Piano Solo - Selected - Miss Deitz
- Song - “Nirvana” - Mr. W. Murdoch
- Banjo Solo – Selected - Mr. Geo. Hotton
- Entertainers in Song - Mr. &Mrs. Barker
- Recitation – “George’s Soliliquy” - Master Billy Clark
- Song - “Marie, my Girl” - Mr. R. S. Hamilton
- Recitation - “Frenchman in England” - Mrs. Shutes
- Song – Selected - Miss H. Rhodes
“STAR SPANGLED BANNER”
“GOD SAVE THE KING”
Accompanists: Mr. Freeman and Mr. Brown.
List of Songs, Recitations, Solo and Orchestra Pieces in a Second Class Grand Concert Program Held on Board the RMS Olympic on Monday, 1 November 1920. GGA Image ID # 12b733f085
🎶 A Unique Blend of Music, Recitations, and Comedy
Unlike the rigid formality of First-Class entertainment, this Second-Class concert program exudes warmth, humor, and accessibility. The mix of musical performances, dramatic recitations, and comedy sketches speaks to the diverse backgrounds of passengers, ensuring everyone found something enjoyable in the night’s entertainment.
🎻 Notable Performances & What They Reveal About the Time
“Poet & Peasant” Overture – A lively, dramatic orchestral piece, setting the stage for the evening’s performances. This choice reflects the popularity of light opera and romantic orchestral music in the 1920s.
“Bubbles” & “Until” – Sentimental ballads capturing the era’s fascination with nostalgic, dreamlike themes in music.
Banjo Solo by Mr. Geo. Hotton – A highlight, as banjo music was a staple in early jazz and folk traditions, suggesting a growing influence of American music on British audiences.
Recitations like “Frenchman in England” & “George’s Soliloquy” – Dramatic storytelling and humorous monologues were as important as musical acts, showing a love for spoken-word entertainment.
Finale: “Star-Spangled Banner” & “God Save the King” – A powerful conclusion symbolizing the transatlantic connection between Britain and the United States.
📌 This concert reflects the blending of cultures, as passengers from different nationalities and social backgrounds came together through music and performance.
🌟 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance
📜 "Front Cover with a Photograph of the RMS Olympic"
A striking visual, emphasizing the grandeur of the Titanic’s sister ship and its continued legacy after the infamous disaster of 1912.
📜 "List of Songs, Recitations, Solos, and Orchestra Pieces"
A detailed historical record of shipboard entertainment, useful for historians studying early 20th-century leisure culture.
Who Should Explore This Program? 🎯
👨🏫 For Teachers & Students:
A case study in maritime social history
A glimpse into how music and performance united travelers at sea
Insight into how post-WWI voyages fostered international camaraderie
📜 For Historians:
A rare record of passenger entertainment on an Olympic-class liner
Evidence of early 20th-century musical preferences
Insight into how ocean liners contributed to cultural exchange
🔍 For Genealogists:
A record of performers and passengers—possibly linking to family history research
Clues about who was traveling aboard the RMS Olympic in 1920
🚢 For Maritime & Ocean Travel Enthusiasts:
A fascinating look into daily life on a legendary ocean liner
A rare piece of ephemera from the RMS Olympic, which remained in service until 1935
Final Thoughts: More Than a Concert, a Reflection of an Era 🌊🎼
This Second-Class Grand Concert aboard the RMS Olympic in 1920 wasn’t just an evening of music—it was a communal experience that brought passengers together in the spirit of charity, entertainment, and post-war resilience. The program serves as a rich historical artifact, offering insights into ocean travel, social customs, and cultural influences of the early 20th century.
Would you have attended this grand concert at sea? 🎶🚢✨
