1. Music in Political and Social Movements
Chapter 20, p. 461
Music in Political and Social Movements

2. Social Protest and the Struggle for Racial Equality
The foundations of protest song
Protest music:
A powerful musical genre directed at social injustices and the desire for change
The roots of protest songs are in folk music:
Uncomplicated music that speaks directly of every matters
Traditional music
In the 1950’s and 60’s folk music became part of popular music
Urban musicians and college performers began performing folk music

3. The Civil Rights Movement
In the 1960’s the nation confronted issues of civil rights, social injustice and the war in Vietnam
New folk music became popular protest music

4. “We Shall Overcome”
Most recognized protest song of the Civil Rights era
Originally sung by enslaved Africans
It expressed the nonviolent philosophy of Dr. King
Now, it is sung around the world in many languages and is an anthem for social causes and movements
Lyrics, p. 464

5. Activity 1, p. 463 “We Shall Overcome”
Joan Baez
Morehouse College Gospel Choir
What emotions are expressed by the words of the song?
Does the music itself have the same emotional impact of the words? Why or why not?
To whom do you think the song is addressed?
What issues, problems, or events are hinted at in the song?
Does this song suggest any solutions to these issues?
How would you categorize the musical form?
What importance might his song have to American society today/
What characteristics of the music performances are similar in each recording? Which are different?
Which version has the most powerful impact on you? Why?

6. Activity 2, p DVD
Analyze the stylistic features of “We Shall Overcome”
Describe the history and sources of the song.
Enslaved Africans sang this 150 years ago using the text, “I’ll be Alright”. In 1930, striking tobacco workers used the song using, “We Shall Not Be Moved”. It the 1960’s it became part of the Civil Right movement using, “We Shall Overcome”.
List the leaders and performers who describe the benchmark events in the Civil Rights movement
Julian Bond, Andrew Young, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Bernice Reagon, Harry Belafonte, Taj Mahal, and Myles Horton

7. Activity 2 continued
Describe how the song “We Shall Overcome” has functioned as a tool for social protest and as historical document about protest.
It has been used for various causes and protests for over 150 years.
Describe how the song is used around the world in various social movements.
The song has been sung to oppose oppression in South Africa, Russia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Chile, China, and in Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Haiti
Suggest reasons why this song might continue to inspire people to struggle for social justice.
The American Civil Rights movement has served as a model for many other countries in their struggle for human rights.

8. “Blowin’ in the Wind” Associated with the Civil Rights Movement
Composed in 1962 by Bob Dylan
Challenged prejudicial views of racial or social groups
Recorded by several artists but made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary
One of the most politically committed groups
Performed at Dr. King’s March on Washington in 1963
Lyrics, p

9. Activity 3, p. 465 – Joan Baez What is the form of the song?
AAAB
How would you describe the construction of the melody?
The melody of the A section opens in a stepwise pattern
How are the lyrics and melody combined to create a unified message?
The text and the melody fit will together because the natural rhythm of the text is reflect in the music. The melody is easy to remember.

10. Activity 3 - continued What do you think the lyrics mean?
The lyrics are symbols of a global idea – freedom and justice
What is your overall impression of the composer’s musical intent?
The composer captured the emotion of the text through music
Would a recording of this song done in a different performance style be as effective? If so, what style and why?

11. Remembering the Struggle
The Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964 which made it illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of race or color.
American Guernica by Adolphus Hailstork written in 1983
Complete the year Martin Luther King day became a holiday
Written for concert band and piano
Commemorates the 1963 bombing of a church during Sunday school in Birmingham, Alabama
The title comes from a painting by Pablo Picasso called Guernica

12. Activity 4, p. 468
American Guernica

13. Resisting Apartheid in South Africa
Racial Division in South Africa
One of the most racially mixed populations of any nation
For thousands of years the people were all black
Later colonists (called Afrikaners) came and the 2 groups clashed
Despite being the minority, Afrikaners instituted apartheid:
Policy of racial segregation
This restricted land ownership, where people could live, and their jobs

14. Opposition to Apartheid
Black South Afticans demonstrated their resistance through revolts, peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and through the arts
Music played a pivotal role – musicians were some of the most outspoken critics
The government exiled musicians and outlawed their music

15. “Sobashiya” One of the best known anti-apartheid protest songs Ballad:
Musical form consisting of verses in a narrative style, often with a repeated refrain.
Title means, “we will leave” in the Zulu language
Made famous by Amandla which means power
Activity 5, p. 472
Translation and music p

16. An End to Apartheid
The people’s resistance and sanctions from other countries ended apartheid in 1994
Free elections were held and the first black president of that nation, Nelson Mandela, was elected.

17. Political Protest as a Means to Social Change
Political protest in Chile
Protest stemmed from political oppression
Augusto Pinochet was one of the more brutal dictators in world history
He rose through the ranks to general
In 1973 he led a revolt to overthrow then president Salvador Allende whose policies were not popular
At first, Pinochet was supported by the people and thought a hero
A year later he eliminated democratic government, shut down free trade, forced his own election to president, abolished political parties, restricted human and civil rights
Ordered the murder of over 3,000 Allende supporters

18. “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”
“The People United will Never Be Defeated!”
By the mid-1980’s opposition groups began organizing protests
Much of the protest was through popular folk music
This became the them song of the opposition
The title is base on a well known slogan:
A phrase used repeatedly to convey goals or communicate an important message
Pinochet remained president until the late 1980”s

19. Activity 6, p. 474 Listen to “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”
Lyrics and translation on p. 474
Augusto Pinochet
Salvador Allende

20. Other voices against oppression
Artists worldwide expressed outrage at Pinochet’s treatment of his people
“They Dance Alone” by Sting was a tribute to the victims.
Activity 7, p. 476
Lyrics, p. 476

21. Sting Composer, singer, actor, activist Wide range of music and styles
Born in Newcastle England
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Won many Grammy awards
Supporter of human rights and environmental justice
Works on behalf of Amnesty International and the Rainforest Foundation
Has written music for films
Performed with symphony orchestras
Performed in Broadway shows.

22. Theme and Variation “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”
Inspired a set of 36 variations for pianos by American composer Frederic Rzewski
Titled The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Variations reflect the meaning of the song
Divided into six sets of six – the last set summarizes and ties all preceding variations together

23. Activity 8, p. 479
Listen to “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!” – focus on the melody – figure 20-6, p. 479
Listen to variation 36 of The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Describe what he has done to the theme.
He begins with the hook
Describe the way that Rzewski varies the theme so as to create a dynamic finish.
The original theme is extended in the middle section with dissonance
Would you classify Rzweski’s variations as traditional, popular, or classical music? Why?
Classical – composed in a classical style

24. Protesting War The Vietnam Antiwar Movement
During the 1960’s and early 70’s the United States was involved in a prolonged conflict in Vietnam
The country was divided on US participation in this war
This was the same time as the Civil Rights movement
Folk musicians involved in Civil Rights also supported the anti war position
Songs made strong comments about the need for peace, love, and understanding

25. Bob Dylan Leading musical voice of antiwar movement
“Blowin’ in the Wind”
“A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall” – 1963
“Masters of War” – 1963
Dylan was popular with young people but not adults
Labeled antiestablishment
Wrote over 500 songs and 43 albums sold over 57 million copies

26. Activity 9, p. 483
Compare and contrast Joan Baez and Don Carlos singing “Blowin’ in the Wind”
How would you describe the mood created by each version?
Which versions sounds the most polished? The most spontaneous? Explain
National Public Radio named Dylan's recording of this tune as one of the hundred most important songs of the 20th century. Why do you think it was included in NPR’s list?
If you were asked to classify this song as traditional, popular, or classical, what would you decide? Explain your reaction.

27. Karl Husa Some antiwar music came from classical composers
Karel Husa – Czechoslovakian
Exiled from his native land in the 1940’s when Communists invaded
On August 21, 1968, Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia’s capital, Prague, which ended a time of prosperity know as the “Prague Spring”
Husa was so angered that he wrote this piece in 7 weeks

28. Music for Prague 1968
Composed for concert band, it used three main musical ideas
The opening and closing melody is from a 15th century war song called, “Ye Warriors of God and His Law”
The melody appears in the timpani and again in the choral at the end
Use of bells throughout to sound distress and victory
The 3rd movement is played entirely by percussion
Activity 10, p. 485

29. The Environmental Movement
Joni Mitchell
The 1970’s and 80’s were productive years for message and protest songs about the environment
“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell criticized the encroachment of urban sprawl on unspoiled land.
Activity 11, p. 486(CD 1 – 13)

30. Paul Winter
Another environmental issue was the destruction of animal habitats
In 1980, jazz saxophonist, Paul Winter, produced music that combined recordings of various sea mammals with original compositions
Earth voices of a Planet
Inspired by his love for nature
“Ocean Child” features recordings of orca whales

31. Activity 12, p. 487 “Ocean Child”
Decide what the sound of the piano accompaniment and soprano saxophone might represent to the composition
The piano is the ocean and the saxophone the whale
Identify the form.
Free without obvious structure
What effect was Paul Winter trying to create with this recording? What do you believe he wants the listener to hear?
He tried to create empathy for the plight of the whale.

32. Holly Near Recorded many musical protests
Strong political activism and concern for the environment
Performs some songs without accompaniment
Activity 13, p. 488 – “Mountain Song”

33. Review - Terms Apartheid Ballad Folk Music Protest Music Slogan
A policy of racial segregation
Ballad
A musical form that consists of verses in narrative style, often with a repeated refrain
Folk Music
Uncomplicated music that speaks directly of everyday matters
Protest Music
A powerful musical genre directed at social injustices and the desire for change
Slogan
A phrase used repeatedly to convey goals or communicate an important message.

34. Composers Composed the award-winning American Guernica
Adolphus Hailstork
Composed and recorded “They Dance Alone”
Sting
Was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Composed Blowin’ in the Wind
Bob Dylan
Recorded a rendition of “Mountain Song” expressing concern about the future of the planet
Holly Near
Wrote The People United Will Never be Defeated! for piano
Frederic Rzewski
Produced album called Earth Voice of a Planet
Paul Winter
Occasionally toured with Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie
Bob Dylan
Composed Music for Prague 1968 for concert band
Karl Husa
Wrote a song about urban sprawl entitled “Big Yellow Taxi
Joni Mitchell

35. Composers, etc.
Leading musical voice of the antiwar protest against the Vietnam War
Bob Dylan
Achieved fame as rock star, bus has written music for films, has performed with symphony orchestras, and in Broadway shows
Sting
The song that expressed the nonviolent philosophy of Martin Luther King and set America moving toward racial equality
“We Shall Overcome”
The musical form of Rzewski’s The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Theme and variations
Musical form of “Sobashiya”, a well known protest song about apartheid
Ballad
What country exiled internationally acclaimed artists because their music inspired resistance to apartheid?
South Africa
What mammal’s sounds are featured in “Ocean Child?”
Orca

36. Name three issues in America that inspired songs of protest
Racial equality
Vietnam War
Environmental concerns

37. Describe the role of music in the social movement of south Africa and the political movement in Chile
South Africa
Chile
Musicians were outspoken critics of the repression
Music and other arts chronicled the suffering
Music played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid
The people voiced the opposition to the ruthless dictator Pinochet through folk music

38. Discuss the music of three composers of environmental protest music.
Joni Mitchell
“Big Yellow Taxi” expressed opposition to construction that destroys the natural environment
Paul Winter
His music celebrates the oneness of all nature by featuring animal sounds in instrumental music
Holly Near
She sings unaccompanied songs expressing concern over dangers to the planet