As U-M announced its plans for a theme semester focused on Democracy & Debate, three U-M faculty from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, came together to discuss the history of national anthems in the United States and how pertinent it is to explore how we live up the ideals in the anthems.
The conversation included Naomi Andre, Professor in Women’s Studies, the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, and the Associate Director for Faculty at the Residential College; Mark Clague, associate professor of musicology at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and one of the nation’s foremost experts on The Star-Spangled Banner; and Louise Toppin, Professor of Music and Voice and director of vocal competitions and non-profit repertoires for underrepresented composers.
They explore the tune and the many lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner and Lift Every Voice and Sing, which has been called the Black national anthem.
