...Hannah Meixner Kim Holcomb ENG 151 (MWF) 3/2/2012 Music Education in America The recent issue that our nation's children are being unfairly crushed under has to do with the blatant failures of our country’s educational system. It particularly has to do with about how, due to The No Child Left Behind Act, schools are teaching to the test. Now in order to get funding, schools need to have good test scores. In order to have good tests scores, they need to funnel their money into the testable subjects: English, Math, Science, and History. Thus, the arts are getting the short end of the stick. Their priorities are in the wrong place. American education is leaving the traditional, Classical way of thinking. We're getting away from the well-rounded individual. Instead we are all concerned about getting good grades, so we can get into college and major in something we hate and make money. The focus is entirely on how far can you get yourself - the American Dream has morphed completely into some money-grubbing monster. Loads of programs have already been cut, and this doesn’t exclude schools. The Columbus Symphony? First state capital to lose their orchestra’s funding. Now? Louisville declared bankruptcy, Honolulu is no more - the list goes on. Even in our own towns we see this happening. Thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools across the country have cut down on “accessory classes” as they call them, so they can focus on the core classes and “what’s important.” This...
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...How colonial music relates to our day music while helping us form a united country and patriotism. It has been found that music of the Colonial age wasn’t written in America; but, inclusively transported to help define the colleagues and for founders of this country. The music that early Americans have chosen to sing and play helps to clarify the understanding of the colonist themselves. 1 “Their music included ballads, dance tunes, folk songs and parodies, comic opera arias, drum signals, psalms, minuets and sonatas. Such music came mostly from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, and Africa, and it was played on whatever instruments were handy.” Many different styles and forms of music emerged in early America to express the full effect of colonial life. Colonial music included both oral and written processes; in which, people most commonly could recognize by ear but frequently came up with new words to the older tunes. The instruments we have today were brought to us by the Revolution age with some in their original form and prevalent. Men from all different classes, from slaves and indentured servants to Thomas Jefferson, played fiddles or violins. While prices varied from high to low violins were usually imported in great numbers. In addition to popular instruments such as the violin, the flute happens to be another prominent instrument that was driven by man. 1 Woman had limited musical options due to high levels of “maintaining reputation” for men. Wealthy...
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...Shakespeare once wrote, “if music be the food of love, play on”. Hundreds of years later, music continues to be a influential part of society. Although music affects the lives of many, culture is the largest influencer of music itself. As wars are fought and history is made, music continues to allow the majority and minority voice to be heard. The progression of cultural viewpoints in America created many musical compositions expressing varying opinions of their respective era. During a time of impending war, patriotism was at an all time high, but an underlying tone of unrest among civilians became prominent as well. Much of the early 20th century was structured around the first World War. While they attempted to boost morale both on the frontlines and at home, songs like “You’re a Grand Old Flag” began to spread across the country (Cohan, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” 1906 http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/songs/old_flag.html ). With catchy lyrics claiming “every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue,” people began to feel pride and supported any endeavors to protect their flag’s reputation. And while many people fell into this norm of patriotism and hoo-rah mentality, many began to fear the havoc the war could bring. This was evident in songs like “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to be a Soldier,” a ballad where a mother expresses her concern and uneasiness at the thought of her son at war (Bryan, Piantadosi, “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to be a Soldier” 1915 https://www.archeophone...
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...Music of Latin America Mayan Musical Traditions Mayan musical traditions are characterized by a hybrid nature of pre and post Encounter traditions, instrumentation, beliefs, practice and performance. Today someone can examine contemporary Mayan music to identify these European and indigenous characteristics. This paper is about the scholarly literature and musical selections of Mayan music to confirm the premise of hybridization. The social context of Mayan music today references the culture of pre and post Encounter. The music of the Maya “is a function of the Maya belief system, in which the ancient Mayan religion has accommodated a considerable overlay of Christian beliefs, symbols, and practices” (Olsen & Sheehy, 2008, p. 226). For example, musical events tend to coincide with Roman Catholic festivals and the Mayan agricultural calendar, reflecting the integration of both cultures. While official events might focus on European traditions, more intimate events, such as those involving marriage, illness, and birth, reference more traditional Mayan customs (Olsen & Sheehy, 2008). The music at these events is more likely to have instrumentation and performance qualities similar to those of ancient Mayan tradition, such as the use of a shaman singing a ritual chant. This chant departs significantly from post Encounter musical theory, involving the singing of a single tone that drops to a lower pitch when the shaman pauses briefly to take a breath...
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...How American Music has shaped America Every culture uses music to express their beliefs or feelings. From the early days of slavery, to recent pop culture, hip hop, rock, jazz or techno, music has shaped Americans into what we are today. Music not only gives artists an avenue to express their beliefs, it also gives the listener the feeling that there are people in the world that has the same feelings that they have. Not all music has a meaning or a message. Some music is just that, music; beats of a drum, strums of a guitar, electronic collaborations to make a melody, with no real message. Whether it is political, cultural, social, or just for the sake of music, artists have the means to express what they feel, and the popular ones have an audience. The first chapter of William Roy’s book, Reds, Whites, and Blues, focuses on folk music and social movements from the 1930s-1960s. He states that the importants of music was that, “…freedom songs was less important for their mass appeal than in the activity of blacks and whites joining arms and singing together (Roy 2010). Roy goes on and explains that social movements mobilize around culture, and music is culture. Ron Eyerman and Andrew Jamison explore social movements as it relates to music and how it transforms cultures. In the beginning of the book, they state that, “…nowhere has the “role” of music been more important than in the United States, where social movements have been less ideological and more emotive than...
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...“Is Australian Popular Music of the 20th Century a mere imitation of American Popular Music of the 20th Century?” Validate your viewpoint by referencing specific music styles, characteristic features of music styles (instrumentation, performance style, rhythm, melody, intervals/scales/blue notes, harmony, texture, and form), bands, vocalists and specific songs. The 20th century has provided music that was the soundtrack for a generation. During this period there was a rise of pop music and its demand. American bands and artists were monopolizing the market, pumping out band after band. Record labels that were prominent at the time were Atlantic, EMI and Warner Bro’s records. The rise of the Billboard charts and magazine also played a significant role in the success of pop music. Australia was also producing bands that were ranking very high on the charts with smash hits. This phenomenon of pop music and pop culture has defiantly defined the generations that it came from. By analyzing and discussing the popular music of the 20th century, we can see that Australia is not just a mere imitation of American popular music. Musical Roots The cultural music of Australia can be traced beck through to the Aborigines. They practiced music not as an art form or means of entertainment but rather as a spiritual ritual or a method of story telling. Their influence on Australian mainstream music can be heard today through their instruments the didgeridoo and the clap sticks. In the...
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...four songs that I have chosen to write about are “Dirt Road Anthem”, “Tattoos On This Town”, “Church Pew Or Bar Stool” and “My Kinda Party.” I will elaborate on four elements of popular music in each song that meets the terms in our textbook. For the conclusion portion of this album review I will also explain how this “My Kinda Party” represents an example of popular music according to our text “Popular Music in America” written by Michael Campbell. My favorite song from Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” is titled “Dirt Road Anthem”. This song is somewhat unusual for Jason Aldean’s normal performance style. The chorus is sang with his normal sounding “twangy” voice. However the verses are heavily influence by rap and expressed in a fast paced rhythm and a low-pitched voice during his rhymes. The Instrumentation of this song includes the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion and piano. The chorus contains elements of rock music and uses the electric guitar. The chorus also has an 8-beat rhythm. During each rap verse the beat changes to a 16 beat rhythm. Another song I really enjoyed on this album is track number eleven titled “Texas Was You” on Jason Aldean’s 2010 album “My Kinda Party.” This song contains elements of both country music and rock music. “Texas Was You” also keeps a four beat rhythm. An electric guitar, bass and percussion instruments accompany Jason’s vocals. Aldean’s performance style possesses intensity in his vocals...
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...occurred in the Americas the independent high level of freedom would not be the same as it is today (Sayre, 2010). One aspect that would have changed is the political syncretism. Had syncretism not occurred in the Americas, the United States government would not be a solid whole unit. Instead it would be divided up into sections, such as how it was when things were segregated there would be a different section would govern certain people of certain races. For example, in the nineteenth century Indian Americans along with African-Americans could not vote or get involved in political issues. The Americas would not be considered a free nation as it is today. Slavery would still exist, along with the mistreatment of minorities as common and fair behavior (Muraga, 2011). Cultural entertainment would have also been affected. The Americas have a known history of diverse entertainment styles. However, many of these styles have integrated in the American culture through other countries. If not for syncretism America would not have the diverse range of music and entertainment that is so broad and diverse today. The partial integration of religious practices would not be so free and impartial. The constitution allows the right for a person to serve or worship the god of their choice. Christianity has dominated many societies in the Americas. In South America the Spanish colonization and its Roman Catholic Church's proselytizing of animistic South America. Religious syncretism...
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...the answer is nobody. Rock music is the innovation and evolution of many different types of music from a wide variety of groups of people. No one planned rock and roll, and it took over a great deal of American culture and revolutionized popular music. Rock and roll was influenced by African American music as well as white American styles. Since the introduction of minstrel shows in America in 1840, people have created and developed many other kinds of music. Mostly originated from African Americans, swing, blues, and jazz music was an early beginning to rock music. Many musical qualities were brought with African slaves into America. Some of the qualities include improvisation, “call and response” singing, and a dynamic rhythm. They created spiritual music and blues, which later evolved into what we know today as gospel music and “rhythm and blues.” White American music is based on of folk-style songs, mostly ballads in small bands of musical instruments. At the start of the 20th century, these folk style songs became referred to as hillbilly music. The transition to country-western music began with singers like Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. After World War II, soldiers returning home wanted to feel at home again. This started the era of playing music on the radio, with programs such as Grand Ole Opry, which still runs today. This genre of music used guitars, Hawaiian guitar and drums on occasion to create a new image for country-western music. People realized they can make...
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...Analysis of Music Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation One of the advantages of breaking rules and exploring beyond is that one comes out with something that has never been experienced before. For this reason, Beethoven and The Beatles established themselves in the music industry because they created a norm that every new artiste followed. Composers that followed them always tried to be like them. On the other hand, there is a cost in breaking the existing musical rules. People always want to hear what they love from their past musical experiences. Introducing a new genre may not auger well with the popular style. Despite being radical composer, Beethoven actually composed what people liked. R. Murray Schafer has been successful in breaking the musical composition rules. One of his radical music was East, composed in the year 1972. It was totally different from the traditional techniques at that time. It had slow glissandos and the performers sung and hummed on top of playing the instruments. Generally, Murray employed his compositional creativity to challenge his listeners as well as the performers of his music. The spice girls joined the Pop music in the 90s and became successful. Their strength was largely due to the perfect combination of each individual talent and voice in addition to their youthful vigor. Michael Jackson broke the rules of the existing Pop music and introduced a style that was outstanding for four decades. Michael introduced sophisticated...
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...Research Evaluation: The Behavior of African American People through Hip Hop Music Papi Jean Florida Memorial University Introduction The Growth of Hip Hop in America As hip hop continues to grow into a major aspect of the modern African American culture, the studies intend to distinguish the mass outlook of black people in America. It is incredible that this single genre of music has transformed into a vital communication mechanism for an entire race and may even become larger in future generations of African American people. The other races, in America, have gotten an idea of African Americans through the controversial rap music in which black people use to communicate with each other, and outsiders; the non-blacks. The study revolves mainly around the attitudes which have deemed as common in the black culture; rap music has always been open for interpretation which can lead to danger. The music has become so popular and influential to the youth that many crimes have been linked to the music which fuels an efficient form controversy in America. Do people receive the negative aspects of rap more than the positive aspects? If so, then why? Also, why are the positive approaches of hip hop not made commercial rather than the sex, drugs, and violence? There is belief that the music has a great influence on how the other races in America view the black culture. It is not certain whether rap music is more negative than positive, but it is obviously a notorious topic for many...
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...Running head: MUSIC TRENDS IN POPULAR AMERICAN CULTURE Music Trends in Popular American Culture University of Phoenix There have been many trends in American popular culture dating back since America was founded, anytime an activity or a lifestyle became popular people wanted to follow it and millions did. This is the case with music; it has evolved over time yet remains one of the most popular aspects of American Culture. From 1606-1776 religious music was the first music of early colonists in what was known as The Colonial Era. Traditional English hymns were brought to America and singing the psalms was an early form of hymns. Folk music and ballads were the rage from 1776-1860 in the Revolutionary War era. Popular music just before and during the Civil War had to do with political and military events such as; Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic and Dixie and the Star Spangled Banner was written during this time. In 1897 different composers give birth to America’s popular music industry, ending reliance on Europe. The turn of the century arrived and there was a period of excitement for the American Music Scene. During this time the “Western” musical genre spreads throughout western states and featured steel guitars and singing cowboys (Johnson, 2007). The Blues were also created during this time by ex-slaves that sang work songs filled with irony, imagery and love, offering relief from the tensions in their lives. Jazz was also developed in the 1900s...
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...unified sound. The audience watches spellbound by the phenomenal performance, shocked with waves of musical euphoria. The self-composing pianist, smiles, happy with his performance. This is George Gershwin, an admirable composer who pioneered the 20th century through his music. He was gifted, and started miraculously in his pre-teens age. Surprisingly, he had no love for music beforehand, which was found through jazz. He quit his schooling early, at the age of fifteen, in order to reach his maximum potential. He also had a great relationship with Charles Hambitzer, who was his piano teacher. Mr. Hambitzer cultivated Gershwin’s already humongous talent to the level of a virtuoso. His sibling, Ira Gershwin, also spent his time with music, writing the lyrics for many of George Gershwin’s popular songs. George Gershwin grew from a clueless young child into an influential and powerful jazz pioneer. The jazzy composing style of George Gershwin had a heartfelt effect on...
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...Barbara Klein with People in America in VOA Special English. Today we tell about Aaron Copland, one of America's best modern music composers. (MUSIC) STEVE EMBER: Aaron Copland wrote many kinds of music. He wrote music for the orchestra, piano, and voice. He wrote music for plays, movies and dance. Copland also was a conductor, pianist, speaker, teacher and author. Music critics say Copland taught Americans about themselves through his music. He used parts of many old traditional American folk songs in his work. He was influenced to do this after studying music in France. He said that composers there had a very French way of writing music. He said Americans had nothing like that in this country. So he decided to compose music that was truly American. BARBARA KLEIN: Aaron Copland was born in nineteen hundred in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of five children. His parents had come to the United States from eastern Europe. They owned a store in Brooklyn. Aaron began playing the piano when he was a young child. He wrote his first song for his mother when he was eight years old. His dreams of becoming a composer began when he was young. When he was sixteen, he urged his parents to let him study composing with Rubin Goldmark. Goldmark had taught the composer George Gershwin. STEVE EMBER: When he was in his early twenties, Copland went to Paris where he studied music with Nadia Boulanger. She was one of the most important music teachers of the time. He returned...
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...Word Count 1759 Music of the United States Midterm When you read the title “America’s Musical Landscape” you can envision the numerous picturesque landscapes of America; every direction you look you will see something different whether it be mountains, deserts, woods, oceans, flatlands, waterfalls, the etched out stones from the glaciers of years ago; the landscapes have evolved and changed over the years. We have gone from primitive lands to modern buildings, numerous homes, and railways to change the look of America. The same concept goes for the music of our wonderful country. Music has evolved from the same people who have made our country what it is now. We have a mixture of influences from all over the world that have molded, created, composed and evolved the music into what we hear today, in our “audible landscape”. In order to fully understand music it is important to know something about the four elements of music; the rhythm refers to the beat and the pace of the music.(Ferris, pp.1) Melody refers to the tone and pitch, the faster it’s played the higher the pitch and vice versa for the slower, and the harmony is the combination of these tones.(Ferris, pp.3-5) How the music is delivered it is the timbre, whether it is through voice or instrument it is how the sound is delivered.(Ferris, pp. 6) There are many different categories or forms of music that the songs fit into, they can include chordal or folk to name a couple. The most used form in music is strophic which...
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