In just a few short hours, our country will be ushering in a new administration and our 45th peaceful transition of power. Even given recent events (the Capital riots coupled with pandemic and security restrictions), the day will still be filled with grandeur, majesty and... MUSIC!
Today is not just a political celebration, but it is a cultural one as well. Today is a day that celebrates the role that music and music education play in our cultural landscape and national history.
For the next twenty-four hours, our nation's capital will be filled with MUSIC as we welcome our nation's 46th president. The stage will feature some of our best and brightest stars including Lady Gaga, J.Lo, Demi Lavato, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, the Foo Fighters, and my personal favorite, The President's Own.
With this momentous event comes a unique opportunity to talk with your students about music education and the vital role it has played in our history and our national culture.
What is equally noteworthy is who and what will be absent from the event.
On dais, you will not see athletes or the teams they play for. You won't see or hear from preeminent mathematicians or scholars. There will be no demonstrations of technical prowess or scientific achievement. These things are vitally important, but for today, they will be less important than MUSIC.
From your television screen, you will hear the herald trumpets sound, see the choirs sing, and experience the President's Own usher in a new era of leadership with the time-honored tradition of playing Hail to the Chief.
In more normal times, the music would continue on with parties, parades, and eleven separate music-filled galas. But these are not normal times. And despite the logistical challenges, on this most important of occasions, music will be front and center as a core component to our nation's grandest of events; the Inauguration of the President of the United States.
While others bemoan the state of the arts, I say we celebrate it! But how...
As a way of honoring our profession on this very momentous day, let us seize this teachable moment to give our students a little perspective about this activity and its role in our society.
What should we talk about? How about:
The history of music education in our country
10 fun facts about John Phillip Sousa
How to play in tune in REALLY cold weather
History of the Star Spangled Banner
Why and when we play Hail to the Chief
How to audition for a military band
Origination and history of the marching band
As a part of this discussion, you can point out that in our brightest and darkest hours, music can move people in meaningful ways. You can discuss how music has affected you and your life. You can point out that every significant moment in our country's history has been marked by song. Just for one day, TALK more and play less.
The Da Capo to this tune isn't coming back for four more years, so today, perhaps we might be educators of music more so than music educators.
Just a thought. Have a GREAT week.
- Scott