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Music and Football
The connection of two popular pastimes

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.

Lesson Content

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Fight Songs

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.

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Half Time

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.

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Television and Film

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

  • What brought about the change to a more “Hollywood sound” in the music that accompanied football films in the 1960s?
  • What are the instruments mostly used when composing music for football films?
  • How did fight songs originate?

Critical Thinking

  • How was the use of music in football films able to let viewers overcome team loyalty?
  • How did America’s increasing global power in the early twentieth century influence the writing of college fight songs?
  • Why do you think marching bands are so popular with American audiences?

Reflection: Quiz Yourself!

  • What are the different emotions you might feel or experience when listening to music that accompanies sports?
  • What was so special about Albert Austin Harding?
  • When did the NFL begin?
  • Which NFL team was the first to stage a halftime show?
  • What sets apart Big 10 Style from other types of marching band styles?

Top 25 College Football fight songs

Top 25 College Football fight songs

Top Ten Coolest DCI Moments

Top Ten Coolest DCI Moments

Blue Devils 2017 Lead Trumpet Cam

Blue Devils 2017 Lead Trumpet Cam

Blue Devils 2017 - Trumpet Head Cam - Victory Run

Blue Devils 2017 - Trumpet Head Cam - Victory Run

NFL on ESPN Monday Night Football Theme Music

NFL on ESPN Monday Night Football Theme Music

NFL on NBC Sunday Night Football Theme Music

NFL on NBC Sunday Night Football Theme Music

NFL on CBS Theme Music

NFL on CBS Theme Music

ESPN NFL Primetime Music

ESPN NFL Primetime Music

NFL on CBS First on Field Music

NFL on CBS First on Field Music

NFL Films Theme song - Classic Battle

NFL Films Theme song - Classic Battle

Kennedy Center Logo

  • Narrator

    Tom Hedden

  • Audio Producer

    Richard Paul

  • Producer

    Kenny Neal

  • Published

    September 9, 2019

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Eric Friedman 
Director, Digital Learning

Kenny Neal 
Manager, Digital Education Resources

Tiffany A. Bryant 
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement

JoDee Scissors 
Content Specialist, Digital Learning

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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..

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