Abolitionist Star Spangled Banner —"Oh Say, Do You Hear?" (1844)

In the 19th-century, the music and words known today as the national anthem of the United States —”The Star-Spangled Banner”—was deeply associated with American identity but just one of many patriotic songs. All of America’s patriotic songs were part of an ongoing cultural dialogue known as the broadside ballad tradition. New lyrics were  written to…

Singing the SSB Video Lesson 5

Click Here for Video Lesson 5 http://youtu.be/rgr0VFtf6Ds Materials Needed Internet access to YouTube Computer with projector (for students to view YouTube videos) Speakers (for students to hear the YouTube videos) Activities – Watch the video lesson linked above.  During the video, students will participate in speaking and singing activities for a given excerpt of the…

Singing the SSB Video Lesson 4

Click Here for Video Lesson 4 http://youtu.be/Qm235RHdGi0 Materials Needed Internet access to YouTube Computer with projector (for students to view YouTube videos) Speakers (for students to hear the YouTube videos) Activities – Watch the video lesson linked above.  During the video, students will participate in speaking and singing activities for a given excerpt of the…

Singing the SSB Video Lesson 3

Click Here for Video Lesson 3 http://youtu.be/cGDczAsS5tY Materials Needed Internet access to YouTube Computer with projector (for students to view YouTube videos) Speakers (for students to hear the YouTube videos) Activities – Watch the video lesson linked above.  During the video, students will participate in speaking and singing activities for a given excerpt of the…

Singing the SSB Video Lesson 2

Click Here for Video Lesson 2 http://youtu.be/DPZ0mVrtGjw Materials Needed Internet access to YouTube Computer with projector (for students to view YouTube videos) Speakers (for students to hear the YouTube videos) Activities – Watch the video lesson linked above.  During the video, students will participate in speaking and singing activities for a given excerpt of the…

Singing the SSB Video Lesson 1

Click Here for Video Lesson 1 http://youtu.be/KBtvy9cqOhI Materials Needed Internet access to YouTube Computer with projector (for students to view YouTube videos) Speakers (for students to hear the YouTube videos) Activities – Watch the video lesson linked above.  During the video, students will participate in speaking and singing activities for a given excerpt of the…

Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Non-Music Classrooms

OVERVIEW by Mary L.Vincent – Monroe Public Schools This lesson series is a compilation of 5 short videos lessons (each approximately 6 minutes long) that help students rehearse singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  The videos integrate relevant locations and historical perspectives related to the national anthem. This lesson series also aims to make singing the Star-Spangled Banner…

Inspirational Banners Created by Elementary Students

I recently visited the Brentwood K-6 Lower School (Los Angeles) to share the story of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as well as one of Francis Scott Key’s poems titled “To My Steed.” Before I spoke, however, there were a few announcements and to my delight two students came up to talk about their own Banners—flags they…

A Banner Year Is Here!

2014 begins the eight and a half month run up to the 200th birthday of the U.S national anthem—”The Star Spangled Banner”! The Star Spangled Music Foundation and its partners have developed an exciting year of exhibits, performances, publications and educational initiatives. Many of our events will be webcast and available to viewers across the…