Oh, say can you sing?

As many of you watched the Olympics this year, you may have noticed the varying degrees of the athletes’ knowledge of their own national anthems. Some sang out proudly, with wide grins. Others were too overcome with emotion to sing a note. There were also a few that seemed to be nervous, their lips moving reservedly and their eyes darting away from the cameras. Did they feel uncomfortable with the song that presents their country to the rest of the world? Therefore, we dedicate this blog post to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Our national anthem is a difficult one to sing and understand. It describes a violent battle scene. The voice has to utilize a wide range and leap from one note to another. The poetry employs some arcane phrasing, and the first verse (typically the only one sung) ends with a question.

Certainly, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is not easy. There were great debates about choosing this song to be our national anthem. One of the great arguments against this particular option was that it was so difficult to sing, and school-age children, especially, have great trouble learning it. On the same token, however, it is that difficulty — those distinctive downward leaps and the soaring, high middle section — that make our anthem distinct and recognizable. The very real struggle to learn this song teaches our students that virtues of citizenship and perseverance are an important, valued part of our culture.

Take a few moments this month to ask your students to sing our national anthem. You might want to grab a video camera: Our youngest students sometimes come up with amusing word substitutions, which are worth recording for posterity! Gently correcting these errors in lyrics and melody is a process. By the end of this process, however, students understand that our national anthem is something to be revered and respected.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

While the aforementioned difficulties associated with "The Star Spangled Banner" can be daunting to both teacher and student alike, there is a fantastic opportunity for composers to seize! Namely, by breathing new life into the arcane aspects of this tune and its lyrics through new arrangements exploring new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities. Granted, if you accept the premise that teaching this song to young students is already a challenge, then you might not want to veer too far away from conventions. However, there are still ways in which to make the music both accessible to younger students while giving the tune and lyrics the respect they deserve.

We recently had the opportunity to arrange "The Star Spangled Banner" for middle school chorus. The choral director at this particular school was frustrated with the mundane arrangements he had performed for so many years and wanted something new. The result was a nice opportunity for collaboration.