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  • Orchestral Music
  • Popular Culture
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  • Musical Instruments

Summon the Heroes
Classical Music to the Rescue!

Throughout the ages, composers have celebrated the accomplishments of famous heroes through music. What does a hero sound like? Get ready to find out!

 

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

An image of President Abraham Lincoln standing beside two men (one wearing a military uniform) in front of tent. Lincoln wears a long coat and a stovepipe hat.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!

A painted mural of men working in a factory setting. Some figures carry heavy itmes while others seemingly listen to one person's instructions.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...

A photo of actor Christopher Reeves as Superman, wearing his signature blue, red, and yellow superhero outfit.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.

An illustration of students visiting different paintings and statues composers Beethoven, George Walker, John Williams, and Aaron Copland.

Our Hero, The Orchestra

Composers use an orchestra to make big-sounding musicthe 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.

An annotated image of an orchestra that highlights the woodwind section, the percussion section, the brass section, and the string section.

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 tempomajor 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?

An illustration of a superhero character holding a conductor's baton. The character wears a green body suit with a purple cape waving behind him.

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.

Kennedy Center Logo

  • Narrator

    Paige Hernandez

  • Writer

    Doug Cooney

  • Audio Producer

    Richard Paul

  • Illustrator

    James A. Caputo

  • Editors

    Lisa Resnick
    Tiffany A. Bryant

  • Producer

    Kenny Neal

  • Updated

    March 21, 2022

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Eric Friedman 
Director, 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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