What do I love most about sharing music with others? It’s ability to create community.  I love many things about my job, but the one that always gets me is when I see kids making music together.  Actually, when I see any group of people making music together it gets me.  (I’ve been known to wipe a tear as I stand with a stadium of 105,000 people singing our Alma Mater.)  What could be a more authentic way of making music?

So, I try to share this experience with my students – both in understanding how it happens and the simple act of participating in it.

This could be implemented as an entire unit or as ongoing lessons throughout the year, using examples as they coincide with events. Many examples are provided, but use what connects with your students. Does your school (or nearby HS, University) have a traditional song they play to get the crowd excited? Is there a song that is recently popular that gets everyone singing?

Specific activities are included for some of the musical examples. For others, use the ongoing questions provided. Lead students to continue to think about the audience and purpose of music AND the musical characteristics that invite people to participate. Some will be traditional and passed down through generations.  Some will be repetitive and easy to learn.  All will create community.

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Music Creates Community

Ongoing questions:

Who?

Where?

Purpose?

What do people do as they create music in community?

Musical Characteristics?

Why are certain musical characteristics important for creating music in community?

 

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Intro – Where do people “do” music together?

• Brainstorm individually
• Share/compile
• WHY do people “do” music together?
• Is there a difference between “doing” music together and “listening/watching” music together

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9/11

• God Bless America – On the Steps of capital
  • Planned or spontaneous?
  • What was the purpose?
• Bruce Springsteen – The Rising 
  • The Rising Lyric Dictation
• Sting – Fragile 
  • Compare/contrast The Rising/Fragile
    • Reflective/Hopeful
    • Applied to event/Written for event
    • Slow & Quiet/Strong & Loud

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Sporting Events

• School songs – fight song, alma mater
• “Turn up” songs
  • Seven nation army
    • Original version
    • Football game
  • Jump Around
    • Original version
    • Football game
  • Traditions
    • Take Me Out To The Ball Game
      • Cubs – Harry Caray
    • Sloopy
      • Concert Version
    • Perform  – all or portions (sing, drum, play)
    • ID characteristics
    • Analyze form

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Causes

• Protests – El Pueblo Unido
  • http://youtu.be/_uCC-venMtU?t=11s
  • http://youtu.be/PhpSwSBbdxM
• Also explore when Community music crosses over –
  • Rzewski Variations 
• Civil Rights – We Shall Overcome
• Perform these songs or portions of them
• ID characteristics

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For Entertainment

• Pop/Rock Songs (Perform)
  • Hey Jude – The Beatles
  • Viva la Vida – Coldplay
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  • Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
  • We Will Rock You – Queen
  • Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

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How do other cultures use music to create community?

• Sporting events (soccer)
  • http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/231771-singing-stadiums/
• National events (National anthems)
  • http://youtu.be/1Nja48mIUIA

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Create community in your school

• School songs
• Traditional/Inspirational
• Singalong
• Teacher sings
• Create opportunities to make music together (just for the sake of making music)

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Assessment: Poster Project and performance

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Music Creates Community Unit

The Rising Lyric Dictation

Poster Project