You're A Grand Old Flag

Here is the perfect opportunity to explore how entertainment changes from era to era. In his long and illustrious career, George Cohan saw music evolve in many ways. Here are several ideas for your discussion:

• Start by studying the reproducible biography with any class that is studying him. Also learn and sing "You're A Grand Old Flag." (And if your students have learned the parody "Yankee Doodle Santa," be sure to point out that this, too, is by Mr. Cohan...in its original form.) If you are able to get a tape or film of the musical George M or of the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy, they will also add to the study of Mr. Cohan and a feel for the era in which he flourished.
• Study and discuss vaudeville. This form of variety show had its heyday from the 1880's through the 1920's, with movies gradually replacing it as the most popular form of entertainment. It was different from the style of Broadway show that Cohan spawned in that vaudeville shows had little to connect the various acts, while Broadway musicals grew into plays with music. They were similar to the operettas of the day.
• Stage a simple vaudeville show with your class, perhaps with a comic act or two, some songs, some dance, and any other individual talent that is present in the class. Imitate period costumes with straw hats, canes and baggy pants for the comics. There are even a couple of pre-packaged shows available.
• Look at Broadway shows then and now, looking at styles along the way. For instance, viewing parts of a Cohan musical, a Gershwin musical, a Rogers and Hammerstein musical, and a couple of things since 1970 would give a great overview. Compare and contrast. Discuss their relative popularity with other types of entertainment.
• Discuss how technology has changed entertainment from 1880 until now. How have various recording devices changed the medium? (Do students even know about wax cylinders, wire recorders, 78s, 45s, 8-tracks, etc.?) What about movies, t.v., cable, digital technology? How will technology change things in the next 50 years?
• Look at patriotic music and what inspires it. Have the students research the backgrounds of other well-known patriotic songs and share their histories with the class.