Things You'll Need:
- computer with access to the internet
- stereo
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Step 1
A good place to start your search for different types of patriotic music is either online on the internet or on a program such as i-Tunes.
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Step 2
Make sure you are familiar with our nation's most fundamental patriotic songs: "The Star Spangled Banner" (National Anthem), "America the Beautiful", "God Bless America", "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "This Land is Your Land", "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", and "Battle Hymn of the Republic".
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Step 3
Discover some of the famous marches, which have become integral to the patriotic music genre. The most famous composer of marches in the U.S. is undoubtedly John Philip Sousa, who spent a long tenure of his career as director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band ("The President's Own"). Sousa's more prominent marches, often featured in patriotic concerts, include "National Emblem", "Semper Fidelis", "Washington Post", "Colonel Bogey", and of course "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
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Step 4
Look for recordings by the nation’s military bands from each of the military branches: U.S. Marine Band, U.S. Air Force Band, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Navy Band, and U.S. Coast Guard Band. Many of their recordings will contain familiar patriotic and American standards, as well as less familiar pieces you may also become interested in. Additionally, most of these bands have several free recordings of familiar songs you may download from their websites (see links in additional resources below). You can also use their websites to see tour schedules and whether they may be performing at a location near you sometime soon.
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Step 5
Explore some of the discography, music, and albums produced by such orchestras as the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Pops. Many of their albums contain popular, patriotic, and Americana themed music. The Boston Pops have been releasing various albums for decades, under the direction of Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart. Specifically look for the following albums: “Stars and Stripes Forever”, “Fiedler’s Favorite Marches”, “An American Salute”, and “Pops Roundup” (Arthur Fiedler), “America the Beautiful” (John Williams & Arthur Fiedler), “I Love a Parade”, “Summon the Heroes”, and “The Green Album” (John Williams), and “American Visions” and “A Splash of Pops” (Keith Lockhart).
The Cincinnati Pops, under the direction of Erich Kunzel, has several albums of interest for patriotic music as well. -
Step 6
Listen to some of the music by prominent American composers, including Aaron Copland (particularly his “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “Hoedown” and “Buckaroo Holiday” from ‘Rodeo’, and “Appalachian Spring”), Ferde Grofe (particularly his “Grand Canyon Suite” and “Mississippi Suite”), John Williams (although known for his film music, he has also composed many other pieces as well, in particular: “Liberty Fanfare”, and the album “American Journey” with the Utah Symphony), Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Leroy Anderson, John Philip Sousa, and more (continue to use the internet for research).
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Step 7
Listen to "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood.
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Step 8
Finally, listen to Sandi Patty’s stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”.
