MUSIC IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Chapter 20, p. 461

Social Protest and the Struggle for Racial Equality

The foundations of protest songProtest music:○ A powerful musical genre directed at social

injustices and the desire for changeThe 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

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

“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

Activity 1, p. 463 “We Shall Overcome”

Joan Baez - 1965 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?

Activity 2, p. 464 - 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 movementJulian Bond, Andrew Young, Bishop Desmond Tutu,

Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Bernice Reagon, Harry Belafonte, Taj Mahal, and Myles Horton

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has functioned as a tool for social protest and as historical document about protest.It has been used for various causes and protests for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.

“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 MaryOne of the most politically committed groupsPerformed at Dr. King’s March on Washington

in 1963 Lyrics, p. 466-467

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.

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?

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 1983Complete the year Martin Luther King day

became a holidayWritten for concert band and pianoCommemorates the 1963 bombing of a church

during Sunday school in Birmingham, AlabamaThe title comes from a painting by Pablo Picasso

called Guernica

Activity 4, p. 468

American Guernica

Resisting Apartheid in South Africa

Racial Division in South AfricaOne of the most racially mixed populations of any

nationFor thousands of years the people were all blackLater colonists (called Afrikaners) came and the 2

groups clashedDespite being the minority, Afrikaners instituted

apartheid:○ Policy of racial segregation

This restricted land ownership, where people could live, and their jobs

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

“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. 470-471

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.

Political Protest as a Means to Social Change

Political protest in ChileProtest stemmed from political oppressionAugusto 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

“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

Activity 6, p. 474

Listen to “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”

Lyrics and translation on p. 474

Salvador Allende Augusto Pinochet

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

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.

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 songDivided into six sets of six – the last set

summarizes and ties all preceding variations together

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 dissonanceWould you classify Rzweski’s variations as

traditional, popular, or classical music? Why?○ Classical – composed in a classical style

Protesting War

The Vietnam Antiwar MovementDuring 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

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

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? ExplainNational 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.

Karl Husa

Some antiwar music came from classical composers

Karel Husa – CzechoslovakianExiled from his native land in the 1940’s

when Communists invadedOn 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

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

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)

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 PlanetInspired by his love for nature“Ocean Child” features recordings of

orca whales

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

whaleIdentify 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.

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”

Review - Terms Apartheid

A policy of racial segregation Ballad

A musical form that consists of verses in narrative style, often with a repeated refrain

Folk MusicUncomplicated music that speaks directly of everyday

matters Protest Music

A powerful musical genre directed at social injustices and the desire for change

SloganA phrase used repeatedly to convey goals or

communicate an important message.

Composers 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

Composed the award-winning American Guernica Adolphus Hailstork

Composed and recorded “They Dance Alone” Sting

Was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Sting

Composed Blowin’ in the Wind Bob Dylan

Recorded a rendition of “Mountain Song” expressing concern about the future of the planet Holly Near

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

Name three issues in America that inspired songs of protestRacial equalityVietnam WarEnvironmental concerns

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

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 WinterHis music celebrates the oneness of all

nature by featuring animal sounds in instrumental music

Holly NearShe sings unaccompanied songs expressing

concern over dangers to the planet