Media The Star-Spangled Banner
How a captured poet penned the song that became the country’s national anthem.
Music and football: what could the connection possibly be? But think about it, there’s music at halftime, we sing fight songs up in the stands, and when isn’t there music when we watch football highlights on TV? Music and football are intertwined, as we’ll hear in this series, narrated by Tom Hedden who composed songs for 19 years at NFL Films.
As you listen, stay focused on your purpose for listening. Find out how musicians create music that is suitable for sports programs, games and films.
Before you get started, think of what makes a great halftime show during a football game. Keep this in mind as you explore the interactive.
As you listen, think about how different types of music elicit different responses from you.
As you listen, stop the audio track now and then to sum up what you have learned.
There’s nothing to make you feel team spirit or school spirit like a fight song. In this installment, Tom Hedden (who composed songs for 19 years at NFL Films) tells us about some of the famous people who’ve written fight songs, why most of them were written with in just a few years of each other and why they’re called “Fight Songs” in the first place.
Even though it’s nothing more than a chance for football teams to go and rest, Halftime has become an American institution— where fans cheer, dance, and get up and shout. It’s also brought us multiple styles of marching band music that are uniquely American. Join the ARTSEDGE Half Time Report, hosted by Tom Hedden, who composed songs for 19 years at NFL Films; and learn everything there is to know about the music that comes between the action.
For almost 50 years, NFL Films has defined the way we see and think about football. One reason these movies have had such an impact is their unique music; music that can make you feel the action. Tom Hedden wrote many of those songs during 19 years at NFL Films. He narrates and—along with two other legendary NFL Films composers—tells us what it takes to write music that, when you hear it, you think “Football.” Plus, you’ll hear the story behind one of the most iconic sports songs of our times, the theme music for The NFL on Fox.
Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Reflection: Quiz Yourself!
This interactive will likely have a wide ranging appeal to students since so many are typically involved in sports. Students will focus on the different emotions conjured up by different types of music, especially that which is used as part of films or as a rallying cry for fans.
Instructional Strategies
Ask students to create short playlists of songs that would accompany the following scenes in a film about football:
Ask students to choose (or create, if they play an instrument) music that would illustrate a film reel of their athletic career. If students are not athletes, have them research and create a timeline of an athlete they admire, and then choose the music to accompany it.
Narrator
Tom Hedden
Audio Producer
Richard Paul
Producer
Kenny Neal
Published
September 9, 2019
How a captured poet penned the song that became the country’s national anthem.
Examine the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the countless ways it has been adapted by musicians
Music and musicians play an important role in military life. From the history of "Taps" to the importance of the USO, to the African American pioneers of Navy music, this series explores the place of ceremonial, tactical and recreational music in the US military.
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.