A Musical Tribute to Veterans and the Spirit of Paris in the 1920s
Oxford, MD – November 20, 2025 – The Oxford Community Center invites the public to a captivating evening of chamber music with a twist. On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM, acclaimed pianist Rachel Franklin, DMA, and her ensemble SONOS will present, “Paris: The Crazy Years,” an immersive program blending timeless classical works, jazz improvisation, and riveting storytelling.
Held at the Oxford Community Center (200 Oxford Road, Oxford, MD 21654), this special performance honors veterans around the world while transporting audiences to Paris in the wake of World War I—an era known as Les Années Folles (The Crazy Years). With music by Debussy, Gershwin, Ravel, Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, and more, SONOS brings to life the electric cultural crossroads of the 1920s.
Led by Rachel Franklin, with Christian Tremblay (violin) and Jonathan Miles Brown (fretless bass), SONOS is renowned for pushing the boundaries of traditional chamber music. Their performances blur genres and spotlight the vibrant connections between history, culture, and sound.
“We had the pleasure of hosting Rachel previously, so I can tell you firsthand – her talent for connecting the music to the storytelling is second to none!” said Liza Ledford, Executive Director of the Oxford Community Center, “I’m really looking forward to experiencing this subject matter and time period the way only she can make you feel it.”
This year the connection to the veterans is the primary focus of the event. The Oxford Museum’s current exhibit celebrates veterans, and they have a raffle for a patriotic quilt that will travel to the OCC for the Rachel Franklin show. All proceeds of the raffle will be donated to The National Children’s Home.
The National Children’s Home which became the VFW National Home, includes 43 homes representing each of the fifty states on 80 acres. Your raffle ticket will directly support the Maryland house. www.vfwnationalhome.org
The Oxford Museum created a Veteran’s Exhibit that opened October 3 and runs through Nov. 11 and the quilt raffle continues at the OCC until Nov. 20 when the winner will be announced. The quilt was created by Kay Butler of Fiber Arts Center in Denton, MD and purchased by a Museum board member to ensure all proceeds going to the Maryland House.
” What better way to support Maryland veterans and their families than to contribute to the raffle. Not only might you end up with a beautiful quilt, but you will be directly supporting Maryland veterans.” says The Oxford Museum Executive Director, Julie Wells. “Thank you for this partnership so that our community can support veterans’ needs.” says Oxford Community Center’s Board Member Margaret Andersen. “Don’t miss this inspiring musical event.”
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at oxfordcc.org/events.
For more information, please visit rachelfranklin.com or speakingofmusic.org.
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