Ceremonial Music


Deborah Leeson ©
May 15, 1998
From weddings to funerals, from Bar Mitzvahs to birthdays, from graduations to inaugurations; music makes our moments more memorable.

Some Sounds of Ceremonial Music

The Jewish Listening Station - offers a selection of Jewish art files.
By clicking here you will find additional resources for the classroom for use in your unit on Jewish music.

Hail to the Chief is offered from Grolier. Grolier is an encyclopedia filled with many examples that will direct you in your lessons with factual information regarding the U.S. President. A brief description of the history, Hail to the Chief is sure to be helpful in covering your Patriotic unit in class.

The, Modern Presidency Activity Page is an excellent resource for teaching students, grades 2 through 12, about different styles of music. They can learn about some American musicians and compose variations on the theme of "Hail to the Chief" using the various styles outlined in this lesson.

Specifics behind Some Ceremonies

Funeral: Though the word is not a particularly popular one, it has some interesting history. The history of the word dirge illustrates how a word with neutral connotations can become emotionally charged because of its specialized use. The Latin word dirige is a form of the verb, dirigere, "to direct or guide," that is used in uttering commands. In middle English, the word was shortened to dirge, although it was pronounced as two syllables. After the Middle Ages, the word took on its more general senses of a "funeral hymn or lament" and "mournful poem, or musical composition" and developed it's one-syllabic pronunciation. Some of the more popular funeral songs have been Rock of Ages, When the Saints go Marching In, and Amazing Grace.

For more about dirges of the Apache History, visit

The Apache Medicine Dance

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-- posted by Deborah_Leeson