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Who is a Hero?

Everyday heroes come from the real world. A hero can be an ordinary person who does something great and who is admired for brave deeds or remarkable ability. Sometimes, a nation comes together to honor its heroes. Other times, you choose a personal hero all for yourself.

Honoring our Heroes

Photo from millercenter.org.

Many heroes are people who made history by their accomplishments including artists, leaders, athletes, and explorers. One example is Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln led the nation through the Civil War, ended slavery, and worked to gain equality for all Americans. Listen to A Lincoln Portrait, a musical work written by American composer Aaron Copland (pronounced COPE-land) to honor Lincoln’s memory.

Aaron Copland - A Lincoln Portrait

Look Around!

Photo from the Library of Congress.

There are everyday heroes all around us. These are people who are willing to put the common good and needs of others before their own comfort. They could be soldiers, doctors, firefighters, teachers—even members of your family. Listen to another work by Aaron Copland called “Fanfare for the Common Man.” (“Common man” is an expression for someone you might see every day.) When you hear Copland’s fanfare, you might be reminded of someone you know. Read more about the history of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.

Aaron Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man

Up in the Sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s...

Photo from washingtonpost.com.

Superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman live in our imagination and are often ordinary people who are gifted with extraordinary abilities. They reflect our best values like justice, fairness, and decency, and inspire us to do good in the world. Listen to a selection from composer John Williams’ musical score for the movie Superman. Listen carefully and you’ll hear a superhero in flight!

John Williams - Main Title from Superman

The Hall of Musical Heroes

Composers are artists who write or “compose” music. At the concert, you’ll meet some musical heroes and learn more about the ways composers bring the idea of heroism to life.

Our Hero, The Orchestra

Composers use an orchestra to make big-sounding music—the kind that is perfect for heroes.

What Makes an Orchestra?

There are four sections, or families of instruments, that make up an orchestra. Each section has different qualities that composers use to give their music its heroic sound.

Learn more about the instruments of the orchestra.

The Composer’s Tools

In addition to instruments, every composer uses the same basic tools to write music.

One tool is pitch which refers to the high notes and low notes. When composers work with pitch, they have many notes to choose from—the high notes, low notes, and all the notes in between. To travel from one note to another, composers might take small steps or giant leaps. They might even climb, crawl, fly, or drop to get from one note to another.

Another tool is rhythm or the timing of the notes against the steady beat of the music. Composers figure out the rhythm of their melodies by choosing between long notes and short notes. Once you mix pitch and rhythm, you’ve written a melody!

Other tools the composer has include tempo, major and minor keys, and dynamics.

• The tempo refers to the speed of the music. Some songs are fast, some are slow.
• Composers might decide to change the tone of their tune by switching it from a major key to a minor key. The difference helps determine the mood of the music.
• Dynamics refers to the volume of the music—how loud or soft the music sounds.

Through the Listening Activities and at the concert, you’ll learn more about these tools and how different composers used them to honor their heroes.

Musical Heroics

Heroes are recognized for their courage, power, humanity, and compassion. How can music describe those things? It’s all in the instruments!

What Makes a Hero?

There are many characteristics that heroes have in common. These are just a few:

• Courage–bravery or a strong heart
• Compassion–the ability to care
• Power–the ability to cause change and make things better
• Humanity–an understanding of the human connection we all share

Sounds Like a Hero

Think of a hero. It can be someone from history, a movie or story, or someone from your life. Which musical instrument or section of the orchestra would you use to announce your hero? Would you use a blaring trumpet? Create a powerful drumbeat? Or does your particular hero call for violins? What quality did the hero have that made you choose each instrument? Would you put two or more instruments together? Which ones, and why?

Listening Activity 1: Summon the Heroes

An introduction to different types of heroes including those from pop culture, history, myths, everyday experience, and their personal lives. Hear how heroes are celebrated with music, whether by a triumphant march or a thoughtful theme.

Listening Activity 2: Sounds Like a Hero

Learn about American composer John Williams and his use of pitch and rhythm.

Listening Activity 3: Strike Up the Band

Learn about the four sections of the orchestra; why a composer chooses specific instruments; and about German composer Ludwig van Beethoven and American composer Aaron Copland.

Listening Activity 4: Sound the Trumpets

Learn composers are sometimes inspired by other composers, making it possible to hear similarities between musical works. Students also hear distinct differences between pieces as they are introduced to American composer John Williams’ Summon the Heroes.

Listening Activity 5: In Depth: A Lincoln Portrait

Learn how a composer chooses specific tools to combine an American hero’s actual words with music.

Listening Activity 6: Playing the Heartstrings

An introduction to the orchestra’s string section and the ability to use major and minor keys.

Listening Activity 7: The Matching Game

Recap the learning from the Listening Activities.