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has functioned as a tool for social protest and as historical document about protest.It has been used for various causes and protests for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