Freedom Song Classroom by K. Strong Music and Lyrics by Various Writers and Composers Connections Teacher Resources In the Classroom For Teachers & Students Grades 3 - 12 Freedom Song and the Class- room Connections Study Guide are produced in support of the teaching of: the Language Arts, History, and Music. The following Standards of Learning are supported: Social studies: 3.12, USI.1, USII.1, USII.9, VUS.2, VUS.3, VUS.7, VUS8, VUS.9, VUS.10 English: 3.1, 3.6, 4.2, 4.5, 5.1, 5.6, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 9.1, 9.5, 10.5, 10.6, 11.5, 11.6, 12.5.

At the Library

African American Musicians (Black Stars) by Eleanora E. Tate

Be a Friend: The Story of African Ameri- can Music in Song, Words, and Pictures In Freedom Song, your students will embark on a musical journey through Afri- by Leotha Stanley, illustrated by Henry can American history. From slave spirituals and hymns to minstrel music, from Hawkins ragtime to blues, and from jazz to rap, African American music has reflected the feelings and soul of a people who have suffered, triumphed, grown, and Freedom Song: Young Voices and the changed. Struggle for Civil Rights by Mary C. Turck Throughout American history, music reflects our American society. African American music adds to that an insight into their tumultuous and changing place within it. It reflects the emotions of the musicians - joy, sorrow, love, and On the Web pain; music is, and always has been, a glimpse into the soul of a people.

Carnegie Hall: Honor! “For hundreds of years, African have expressed what they A Celebration of the African American feel in their music in this country and have had an enormous influence Cultural Legacy on everybody. There is no end to the African American contribution to http://www.carnegiehall.org/honor/ America’s music, and to the world’s.

Public Broadcast Service: It is so important for us to keep our culture alive and be proud. Look at African American World all that has sprung from the past. Just see how much we’ve done. Think http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld of all we have to look for in our futures!” African American Milestones Review the following timeline of African American milestones. There are some events missing! Place the events from the box at the bottom of the page into the timeline in chronological order. Use the space on the right of the timeline to add the missing events! 1758 - Slaves on William Byrd III’s plantation in Lunen- burg County form the earli- est in Virginia.

1800 - , a Virginia slave, is betrayed in his plot to lead thousands of slaves in an at- tack on Richmond, VA. Dozens of slaves are imprisoned or hanged on the spot. Gabriel himself is publicly hanged.

1912 - The first in a series of annual black symphony orchestra concerts was performed at Carnegie Hall.

1921 - The doctor of philosophy degree is awarded for the first time to Black women, Sadie T. Mossell , Eva B. Dykes, and Georgiana R. Simpson.

1990 - The first elected African American Gov- ernor, Douglas Wilder, is inaugurated in Virginia. 2005 - Condoleezza Rice is sworn in as Secretary of State. 2008, November 4th. Bar- rack Obama is elected 44th President of the United States and first African American president.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded. President Ronald Reagan signs bill establishing January 20 a federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment which, on ratification, abolishes slavery in the U.S. Maynard Jackson is elected first black mayor of Atlanta, . United Negro College Fund is established.

2 Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA Musical Words

Use what you learned while watching Freedom Song to match the following words and descriptions. Work with a partner, and use a dictionary to help.

The combination of musical notes played together as Ragtime chords.

Popular in the early 1900’s, this music was created and performed by Black artists and expressed the Blues moods and feeling that were related to by the Black American audience. Jazz Modern version of slave spiritual music, sung in churches. Popular during the , this type of music had unusual rhythms, chords, tempos, tones Swing and mood. Style of music that became popular in the late 1800’s - combined traditional African American music with Gospel “ragged” rhythms. A type of music that grew from Jazz, but had a freer feel and a happier sound, which was just what was Rhythm needed for the post-Depression and beginning World War II days.

A flow of rising and falling sounds in language that is Harmony produced in verse by a regular repeating of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Music that originated in black American gospel Soul singing, is closely related to rhythm and blues, and is characterized by intensity of feeling.

Challenge:

Toni Morrison, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles are all contemporary and famous African American women mentioned in the play. Which one is not a musician, and what is she known for?

Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA 3 Genre Comparison Compare three of the following musical genres “Come on now sugar. You got to make discussed in Freedom Song: jazz, gospel, blues, your own happiness some kind of way in ragtime, swing, rap, hip hop. this ol‘ world, and when you sing, watch that happiness a-comin’. These are our Listen to examples of each genre, and use the songs, from our people. That’s really graphic organizer below to record your something. Be proud child.” ~ Freedom Song comparisons.

4 Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA Lyrics & Rhyme

Definition: Many songs contain words that rhyme. Read the blues song rhyme (noun): a repetition of similar from Freedom Song. Use different colored pencils to circle sounds in two or more different words; most often used in poetry. the pairs of words that rhyme.

I’m so forlorn Life’s just a thorn My heart is torn Why was I born What did I do To be so black & blue

African Americans have expressed their feelings through music for hundreds of years. Use the speech bubble below to write a song about your feelings. Be sure to use rhyming words! A Resource to Use: www.wordcentral.com Click “Rhyming”

Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA 5 Cues at the Theatre

114 West Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 1.800.235.8687

www.TheatreIV.org

Theatre IV Presents... Words to Know Freedom Song by K. Strong Playwright: (n.) a person who Music and Lyrics by writes a play Various Writers and Composers Play: (n.) a story acted out with dialogue

Theatre IV... Adapted: (v.) changed to fit a new use or Bruce C. Miller, situation Artistic Director : (n.) a play that includes songs Phil Whiteway, Musical Managing Director Dialogue: (n.) words spoken by the Classroom Connections characters in a play Study Guide written by Heather Widener, MAT Widener Consulting LLC Lyrics: (n.) words of a song

This Classroom Connec- Using the list above, fill in the word: tions Study Guide and the text contained herein are the property of Theatre A ______that uses music is called IV. Photocopying of the study guide is permitted. a ______. Actors in a play Any other use of the con- speak words called ______tents must be accompa- nied by the phrase, “Text and sing ______of a song. used with permission from Theatre IV - Richmond, The person who writes a play is VA.” © Theatre IV, 2012. called a ______. Often, a play is ______from another source.

Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA 6