-        It describes the stereotypical life of an American girl.

-        Country music screams America to me because it is an important part of our western culture.

-This song is written and performed by Duke Ellington who is a Composer and Pianist. John Coltrane is a Saxophonist and Band Leader who is also playing. They are very popular Jazz Musicians in America.

-There is use of improvisation and complex harmonies that started in African American Communities.

-The song is by Miley Cyrus who is a very popular American pop star.

-This song mentions American artists and things that are in America like Hollywood and the LAX airport in California.

• On a train ride to Boston, Gershwin first came up with the idea of this piece while listening to the sounds all around. The sounds were described as a musical melting pot of America.

• Disney's "Fantasia 2000" animates the piece to tell the story of different classes of American citizens.

• In 1984, when the summer olympics were hosted in Los Angeles, the ceremony "Music of America" came to a climax with Gershwin's piece performed on 84 pianos at the same time.

References

Flores, G. (2021, November 22). Inside the Music of Disney’s ‘Encanto’ With Lin-Manuel Miranda: ‘Anytime We Lean Into Authenticity, We Win’. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/disney-encanto-music-lin-manuel-miranda-interview-1235001473/

Ho, H. [Howard Ho]. (2022, February 5). The Secret Meaning of Encanto's Dos Oruguitas & Why It's Amazing. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lntYjsU8KkI&t=892s

Huizenga, T. (2011, June 30). What Makes Music American? NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american

References

Hizenga, T. (2011, June 30). What Makes Music American? NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american

Thomas, O. (2018). Come Sunday. https://www.omarthomas.com/come-sunday

Huizenga, Tom. “What Makes Music American?” NPR, NPR, 30 June 2011, www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american.

“Where Is the Love?” University of Pittsburgh Library System, Voices Across the Line, voices.pitt.edu/TeachersGuide/Unit10/Where%20is%20the%20Love.htm. Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.

“Concerto for Wind Ensemble.” Wind Repertory Project, www.windrep.org/Concerto_for_Wind_Ensemble_(Day). Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.

Huizenga, Tom. “What Makes Music American?” NPR, NPR, 30 June 2011, www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american.

Aaron Copland + fanfare for the common man. The Kennedy Center. (n.d.). https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/aaron-copland--fanfare-for-the-common-man/

1. This is a classic patriotic song that celebrates America. 

2. Ray Charles is an American artist that sings Jazz, Soul and Blues, which are styles that are considered to originate in America.  This rendition of “America The Beautiful” is very bluesy and filled with emotion.

3. The verses talk about American history and the unity of the nation.

1. It is in the Jazz genre, which originated in America.

2. “Jazz Pizzicato” was composed by a composer born in Massachusetts, Leroy Anderson. 

3. Leroy Anderson had a great career with the Boston Pops.  The Boston Pops brought classical music to many people in America. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQWnWgr8Nk

Of Our New Day Begun – Omar Thomas

This has become one of my favorite band pieces! Whenever I hear it, talk about it, or think about it, the best word I can use to describe it is "heavy." The reason I believe it to be American (in no particular order) is because it was written to commemorate the nine lives lost in the mass shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (known as "Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Next, the piece relies heavily on the sounds of Gospel and Blues music, which are inherently American because of their ties to Black music traditions tied to slavery and the church. Lastly, the piece incorporates "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black National Anthem, all throughout. I think this piece is excellent at showing through the different moods that our country endures with the constant, unnecessary violence we continue to see in our communities, whether it be racially motivated or not. In our country, we are constantly dealing with shock, awe, pain, anger, loss, and hope as we are all subjected to these historical events, and we see little or no action afterward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uumlUtrAimk

Sources:

Huizenga, T. (2011, June 30). What Makes Music American? NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american

Summertime – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2bigf337aU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii_YKr5UhAU 

Death by Triple Fiddle – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rN4c-AjsEc 

Jazz and Bluegrass/Country are two very distinct American styles in my opinion. In both Summertime and Death By Triple Fiddle there are liberties allowed in the music that are not specifically written but are accepted. Specifically, with Summertime I included 2 links to show the differences of how the same piece could be performed in a way that one is more structured while the other is a looser style. Also sliding into pitches as a singer is much more accepted than with other styles and genres. The choice of instruments in the ensembles make a very distinct sound for jazz. In Death By The Triple the string ensemble is not standard. It’s 3 violin, double bass, and banjo. The banjo definitely adds a unique American quality. Also, a large portion of this piece is completely improvised, which is not an element commonly used in classical Western composition.

I chose to include the campy and somewhat outrageous piece “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” because I feel that it aligns with the view that American music often has a sense of humor. As someone who has witnessed this piece be performed in a very serious concert venue, I found that I was laughing loudly with the rest of the audience by the end of the song. This ability to not take oneself too seriously feels tremendously American, as our country has always been freer from the confines of tradition than our European counterparts. Within this instrumental piece, the band members are also encouraged to use their instruments and voices in unconventional ways to depict this over-the-top scene. This type of originality and fearlessness in trying new things is a pillar of the American ideal and frequently makes its way into its music. Lastly, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” is reminiscent of classic Hollywood movies with its antics and over-dramatized storyline. The movie industry has long been dominated by America, and this song calls back to the long-held tradition of storytelling in our country. 

In contrast, “Deep River” by Moses Hogan is a far more somber reflection of American music and history. This piece is a prime example of the uniquely American tradition of African American spirituals, which combine African and European influences to create beautiful pieces that speak of freedom, heartbreak, and hope. This blend of cultures and styles aligns with the American “melting pot” mentality, in which a blend of people from around the world come together to create a diverse and beautiful whole. This piece is also a paradigm of American music because it was arranged by the esteemed composer, Moses Hogan. Hogan was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and had a rich career in arranging traditional spirituals into choral arrangements. These pieces are now performed around the world as a showcase of a uniquely American style. Lastly, I chose a traditional spiritual because songs of the genre inspired so many other American musical traditions. From spirituals we evolved to creating blues music, then jazz, rock n’ roll, pop, etc. The foundations for each were laid by the spirituals sung by the enslaved people of the south. There are many more excellent examples of American music to be heard, but I find that the two I mentioned above together showcase the humor, eccentricity, history, and originality of the music of this nation.

YouTube Links:

Deep River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AvuEme5KQ8

Godzilla Eats Las Vegas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpSo0qm-9zY

Also, I don't who said this, but I remember hearing an interview where someone said, "if you need an audience to know you are in Vietnam and the American is the good guy, you put Fortunate Son as the opening track."

-Jazz is a genre that borrowed from so many cultures and styles that reflects the melting pot of cultures America is known for.

-John Coltrane was born in Hamplet, North Carolina and experienced segregation. He later used his music as a response to the racial violence happening at the time.

-A common theme found in her music is feeling confident and empowered to take on any obstacles in life. Her music also promotes female empowerment.

-Any song she produces usually reflects American values and ideologies that make her music relatable and popular.