Our study of music begins with a step right on our history trail. The first letter in M is for Melody introduces us to anthems. An anthem is a song or hymn of praise or gladness. Our national anthem is "The Star Spangled Banner". It was written by Francis Scott Key as he witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It is sung throughout the United States at the start of military and political events, sporting events and other important occasions. Most countries have their own national anthems that express their love of their country, their belief that God blesses and protects them and their hope that all their citizens be prosperous.
Read here the true story of how it was written.
The anthem began as a poem with several verses. See the full text of the poem here.
Visit here for a short biography of Francis Scott Key, sheet music and listen to different renditions of the Star Spangled Banner.
Listen to and compare our national anthem with that of our neighbors Canada and Mexico. Think about the types of instruments you hear and the words that are used. How are these anthems all similar? How are they different?
If we look again at our simple definition of an anthem, we can see that much of the music we sing at Church or celebrating our Christian faith can be called anthems. After all, the Psalms themselves are beautiful expressions of praise and gladness to our Heavenly Father. Spend some time listening to some hymns of praise this week. Some good sources are collections of contemporary Christian worship music, collections of English and Latin chant and the psalms. Adoremus Books has a large collection of all these styles of music to choose from. As you listen to these "anthems" think about the instruments you hear and the language used to give praise to God.
Use lines from the Star Spangled Banner for copywork and dictation. This along with a drawing of the American flag could be added to the history main lesson book. For younger children, here is a blank flag to print and color. An older child can write her own anthem. The children should consider the words and music they have listened to as they write and incorporate the elements of anthem into their composition. Things to consider include language and themes. Another way to approach it is in a comedic style. Exaggerating the style of an anthem and applying it to a silly subject can also be a good (and fun) exercise in understanding the structure and style of this type of music.
Books to extend the lesson:
Primary
The Story of "the Star-Spangled Banner" (Board book) by Patricia A. Pingry
Star Spangled Banner by Rachel E.
The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier
Elementary
Francis Scott Key and "The Star Spangled Banner" by Lynea Bowdish and Harry Burman
The Star Spangled Banner by Amy Winstead
Middle School
By The Dawn's Early Light by Steven Kroll
The Story of the Star-spangled Banner (Graphic History) by Ryan Jacobson
Composer study:
John Philip Sousa, the March King and Stephen Collins Foster, the father of American music.
Listen to Sousa's "anthem" to the American flag here. Do you understand why Sousa is called the March King? How is it similar to our national anthem? How is it different? Little ones might have fun marching around the house.
Listen the the short biographies and musical selections on the Music Masters CD- Foster and Sousa.
John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco
John Philip Sousa (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) by Mike Venezia
John Philip Sousa from Stories of the Great Composers (Book & CD)by June Montgomery
Stephen Foster Boy Minstrel (Childhood of Famous Americans) by Helen Boyd Higgins OOP
This is an excellent website for an older child to browse through and read about Stephen Foster.
Stephen Foster from Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull
Stephen Foster from Stories of the Great Composers (Book & CD)by June Montgomery
