The Family tradition is strong in Appalachian music, a cultural treasure for Americans. The McLain Family Band from Hindman, Kentucky, performed in 62 countries all over the world for many years, acting as cultural ambassadors representing the United States of America with their music. A father and family of brothers and sisters offered their music as goodwill from their mountain home and their country.
As a family they learned, rehearsed, traveled and performed together for over 25 years. Although the band members have all grown up with families of their own, they are still performing today, sometimes with symphony orchestras. Composers work with the McLains to compose symphonic scores such as the Concerto for Bluegrass Band and Orchestra.
Ask students, "How do you think musicians could serve as ambassadors?" Lead discussion about the important role that performing artists can play in international relations, sharing information about the McLain Family Band.
Here's an Old Time song from the Appalachian Mountains called The Fox. As students listen to the recording, help them follow the story. Bluegrass music is now a successful commercial industry, and like all of folk life, it has changed through the years and will continue to change.
Optional activity: Listen to this version recorded by the band Nickel Creek. Ask students to identify the major differences? (Meter, syncopation, mandolin lead breaks).
Evaluation
- Look for: Identification of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, string bass, three and four part harmony in aural examples.
- Look for: Students to name a variety of purposes that music can serve, such as bridging cultures through music.
- Look for: Identification of claw hammered banjo as Old Time and upbeat mandolin as Bluegrass on worksheet.