Assignment 1:
Read pp. 60-68 in the textbook. Answer the following questions:
1. In your opinion, does theatrical entertainment during wartime inappropriately distract people from their responsibility to defend their country and preserve their liberty? Does it provide healthy relief from such cares? Does it offer a creative means of expressing ideas concerning and reacting to current social and political events? Can you name specific shows (or movies) that occurred during a time of U.S. military confrontation and discuss their impact on society?
2. What position did eighteenth-century American intellectuals believe music and art rightfully held in American life? Do you agree with them or disagree? Why? How did their attitude affect the composition and appreciation of music in America?
Assignment 2:
Read pp. 69-86 in the textbook. Also, listen to the recorded examples which accompany the text.
Answer the following questions:
1. What early nineteenth-century events may be said to illustrate some romantic characteristics of the American personality?
2. What were some of the characteristics of fuging tunes that Lowell Mason considered old-fashioned or incorrect?
3. What are some examples of differences in modern-day music that may reflect a similar dichotomy between composers like Lowell Mason and the First New England School of composers.
Assignment 3:
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) remains one of the most influential American songwriters of the 19th century. Click HERE (Links to an external site.)to to read about Foster’s life. Next, listen to or find videos online of recordings of the following Stephen Foster songs:
“I Dream of Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair”
“Oh, Susanna”
“Nelly Was a Lady”
“Uncle Ned”
“Beautiful Dreamer”
1. For each song, if possible, describe how foster’s lyrics might be considered sentimental.
2. For each song, if possible, describe how Foster portrays women as “passive” creatures.
3. “Nelly Was a Lady” and “Uncle Ned” were considered “Plantation Songs” which portray Black characters. How does he manage to convey sympathy for the characters in a style that usually presented outrageous caricatures?
4. Can you think of any other popular songs or songwriters that employ similar themes as these?
Assignment 4:
Find one video of a performance of Bob Dylan (live video or recording) and post to the Assignment 13 Discussion Board. Do a Google search to find the lyrics to the song you posted. Answer the following questions:
1. Is this a “good” performance? Why?
2. Discuss how you would interpret the lyrics of the song. Do the themes introduced in the lyrics reflect any common 1960’s themes?
Please answer the two questions in at least 200 words.
Suggestions for songs are, but not limited to:
“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”
“Like A Rolling Stone”
“Gotta Serve Somebody”
“All Along The Watchtower”
“Leopard Skin Pill-Box Hat”
“Masters of War”
“Its All Over Now, Baby Blue”
“It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”
“Ballad Of A Thin Man”
“Subterranean Homesick Blues”
“Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again”
“Chimes Of Freedom”
“Visions Of Johanna”
“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”
“My Back Pages”.
