National Anthems

• Why do countries have a national anthem? 

• What do they represent for the people? 

• Why were national anthems created?

• A country national anthem is a good example of music composed for an occasion. Can you list the five most common dates and celebrations in which a national anthem is performed

Musical features of a National Anthems:

Research for audio recordings of the National Anthems listed below. Listen attentively to 2 or 3 of them and analyze it in terms of its musical features.

1. Instrumentation: strings, winds, brass, percussion, vocals, electric and electronic instruments. What instruments can you hear playing?
2. Ensemble: what sort of group formation you hear more often? Marching band, orchestra, jazz band, rock band, string orchestra, electronic music, choir, varied small ensembles...
3. Melody: how does it sound like? Mainly by steps, mainly by leaps, a balanced mixture of steps and leaps, repeated notes, rap...
4. Rhythm: Is it possible to identify the basic beat? what is the time signature? Does the rhythm fluctuates freely throughout the music or emphasizes the beat?
5. What genre do you think best fit to the anthems you've listened to? March, Choral, Waltz, Classical, Opera, Rock, Jazz, Pop, Dubstep...

Suggested National Anthems for investigation:

• England
• Russia
• France
• USA
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Canada
• Netherlands
• Colombia
• Swedish
• China

• Project: your Music project for this unit is divided in 2 sections. 

1. Karaoke Challenge: Listen to different national anthems and chose the one that most faithfully represents your country. 
2. Learn to sing your favorite verse (extending groups can learn more parts) and present to the other groups accompanied by the YouTube playback. 
3. Performers that sing enthusiastically will get a house point.
4. The singer that most apply himself should display better control of his/her voice and will be awarded with 2 extra house points.
5. Teachers and Students will vote.
6.  Paroly Challenge:  Make a paroly out of the anthem you presented on the karaoke challenge. 
7. The new lyrics shall rhyme and fit the purpose of your inquiry on "governing for harmony". 
8. Your anthem shall reflect both history and cultural identity of your made up country. 
9. Rehearse and present to the other groups without a playback (extending groups can make use of one or two different instruments). 
10. Performers that sing enthusiastically will get a house point.
11. The singer that most apply himself should display better control of his/her voice and will be awarded with 2 extra house points. 
12. The group that presents the most inspiring lyrics will get two extra house points. 
13. Teachers and students will vote. It is not allowed to vote on your own.