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Music in Political and Social Movements
Chapter 20, p. 461 Music in Political and Social Movements
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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
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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
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“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
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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?
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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
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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.
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“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
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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.
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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?
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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
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Activity 4, p. 468 American Guernica
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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
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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
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“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
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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.
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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
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“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
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Activity 6, p. 474 Listen to “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”
Lyrics and translation on p. 474 Augusto Pinochet Salvador Allende
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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.
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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”
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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.
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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
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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
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Name three issues in America that inspired songs of protest
Racial equality Vietnam War Environmental concerns
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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
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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
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