AMST 430.02
Songs of Protest, Songs of Praise
Roger Williams University
GHH 208,
M, TH 2:00 -3:20
Spring Semester 2013
It will take a little time to get used to the style of Sing Out. The authors have woven the story they wish to tell from snips and snaps of interviews with a wide variety of persons associated with the movement. As you read, you might find it useful to make a list of them, and then later, when you're snooping around, look them up to see what you can find of their music. I think you'll ultimately enjoy the book once you get your head into it.
The two most important chapters are ther first and fourth. In the first, you'll see folksingers struggle to define precisely what a folk song is, and as you might imagine, there isn't a lot of agreement among them. Some of the definitions will give you a giggle, I hope, for example, Arlo Guthries. As usual, I'd like to have you find resources and add them to your resource folder. If you've picked up the technique of making sub-folders, you'll find it easy to organize things. If you need a refresher, just ask.
The internet article above will demonstrate that Songs of Protest and Songs of Praise were not isolated from the general culture or the High Culture. You'll read that it was connected to literature, poetry, and classical music itself. Classical composers in Europe had used folk themes for centuries. Aaron Copland created tunes celebrating the "common man" and great American themes, as you'll see when you listen to the above. Those Philadelphia kids (right video) sure do play well.
OOPS--typo. I'll see where we got to regarding chapter 4.
