Classical Music in Pictures Music in Pictures    

Lesson 27: Presidential Polonaise

by John Philip Sousa

Performer: United States Marine Band

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer and practice reciting his or her name and the composition title.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

American President Chester A. Arthur requested that John Philip Sousa compose 'Presidential Polonaise,' but Arthur died before it was performed. Presidential Polonaise was later used to coax along slow guests as they traversed the receiving line of formal events held at the White House. A Polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin.

Vocabulary

March: Walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread.
Brass Instruments: Brass wind instruments (including trumpet, horn, trombone) forming a band or a section of an orchestra.
Presidential: Befitting a president, especially the office of the president of the United States.
Polonaise: A slow dance of Polish origin.
Receiving Line: A collection of people who gather in a row to greet guests as they arrive at a formal social event.

Composer

1. John Philip Sousa was born in 1854 in Washington, D.C., United States. See his picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Sousa's city of birth (labeled DC) on the map of United States below.

3. He started playing the violin at the age of six and later studied an additional seven instruments including piano, flute, and trombone.
4. He served as an apprentice, director, and composer for the United States Marine Band at various times during his career. He eventually formed his own band and toured the world.
5. He also invented a brass instrument called the sousaphone.
6. Sousa is well known for the patriotic marches he composed. A 'march' is music for marching and features a strong beat. Marches are often played by military bands.
7. As you listen to Sousa's compositions, march to the music and form your own parade.
8. Sousa died of heart failure in 1932 at the age of 77.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

Listen to the music, and close your eyes and let yourself imagine. What do you picture as you listen to the music?

• After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.
• Is the tempo of the music fast or slow, steady or changing?

Read the list of adjectives. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Cheerful
• Mournful
• Soft
• Noisy
• Vivacious
• Soothing
• Eerie
• Threatening
• Surreal
• Whimsical
• Rhythmic
• Grand

Activity 2: Study the Painting, Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth'

As you listen to the music, find the following in the painting:

• George Washington
• George Washington's Saber
• Horses
• Drum
• Smoke
• Bridle
• Red Flag
• Racoon Skin Cap
• Stirrup
• Hats

After you study the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Describe how the painting relates to the music.

Activity 3: Read About the Painting, Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth'

In Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth,' George Washington points his saber at the sky and charges into battle on his horse. Revolutionary and British soldiers battle all around him.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Presidential Polonaise.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is John Philip Sousa.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is a Polonaise?

3 / 3

Answer 3

A Polonaise is a slow Polish dance.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Presidential Polonaise.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is John Philip Sousa.
3. What is a Polonaise? A Polonaise is a slow Polish dance.

References

'John Philip Sousa.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Polonaise.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.