The Role of the Musician and His Instruments in the Civil War

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
(703) 838-4848

Instructional Unit:
The purpose of this unit is for students to understand the ways in which complex changes led to conflict despite many attempts at compromise. Students need to know about the important beliefs and ideas that motivated the people of this era. These beliefs and ideas are evident not only in the political events of the Civil War, but also in the music, literature, art, architecture, and reform movements of the period. This unit, therefore, uses a humanities approach in order to provide a broad picture of the era, which includes the beliefs and ideas which motivated the people, and formed the basis of the society of the times. (Taken from the Fairfax County Teacher's Guide)

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
Social Studies

Objectives:

1. Students will become aware of the role music and the musician played in the Civil War.
2. Students will recognize the drum, fife, bugle, cymbals, and sax horn when shown photos of these instruments.
3. Students will sing a variety of songs with emphasis on the Civil War era.
4. Students will learn a drum accompaniment to the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Pre-Visit Activities:

Learning About Slavery Through Music:

1. Listen to the song: "Follow the Drinking Gourd" - listen for hidden messages in the words.

Extended Lesson: "Go Down Moses" - compare the situation of the Hebrews which is told about in the song, to the situation of the slaves in the South. Discuss the role music played in the lives of the slaves described by Frederick Douglass, dispelling the belief that slaves sang because they were happy.

2. Listen to the song, sing, and discuss "Glendy Burke" by Stephen Foster. (Phrasing and steady beat can be studied through this song).

Extended Lesson: Show painting The Jolly Flat Boatmen and read the lyrics of "Glendy Burke". Discuss similarities and differences between the painting and the "picture" created by the words of the song.

Learning About the Attitudes of Northerners and Southerners Through Music:

1. "Battle Cry of Freedom" - listen and sing both the Northern and Southern versions. Compare and contrast the lyrics of the two. What are some of the important beliefs of the North and South revealed in the songs? Identify similarities and differences in these beliefs.

Learning About the Civil War Through Music:

1. Discuss how the lyrics of "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp" reflect the beliefs, values, and ideas of the North and South. Determine beats in music (2's or 3's). Why did the composer group the beats in twos? Have students write and sing additional verses for the song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again". Have students sing "Goober Peas", and figure out what they were.

On-Site Activities:

1. Identify exhibit instruments and their role (drum, fife, drum major's baton, cymbals, sax horn, and bugle).
2. Discuss photos: Drum Corps, Cornet Band
3. Analyze the song, "Just Before The Battle Mother" by George Root. Do students feel the same feelings as reflected in this Civil War song?
4. Dialogues:

a. Why was the field musician an important part of the soldiers' routine?
b. What important role did music play in the life of the Civil War soldier?
c. What was the function of the band?
d. Was there an expense in having bands?

Follow-Up Activities:

1. Sing Civil War era songs: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Just Before the Battle Mother", "Dixie", and "The Bonnie Blue Flag".
2. Write a report on Stephen Foster or George Root. Share in class.
3. Invite an authority on Civil War music to speak to the class.
4. Display color pictures of musical instruments from the Civil War era.
5. Study "A Lincoln Portrait" by Aaron Copeland.
6. Write a diary entry as though you were a musician during the Civil War.
7. Write your own melody and lyrics for a Civil War song.

Appendices: None

Bibliography:

Fairfax County Schools Fifth Grade Social Studies Teacher's Guide 1986
The Giant Music House - Grade 5 - Fairfax County Public Schools
The Civil War Song Book by Richard Crawford

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