“Banner,” composed by Jessie Montgomery, was written as a tribute to the 200th Anniversary of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The piece is an attempt to answer the question, as said by Jessie Montgomery: “What does an anthem for the 21st century sound like in today’s multi-cultural environment?” She works to answer this question by including twelve unique musical examples from national anthems, work songs, and freedom songs. In 2009, Montgomery was commissioned to compose a piece of music as a tribute to Barack Obama’s election. The piece, titled “Anthem,” fused together “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (commonly known as the Black National Anthem). This fusion was used as the backbone when she wrote “Banner” five years later (Jessie Montgomery).
This piece is a strong choice for the anthology. It demonstrates the nationality sub-concept of cultural identity. It establishes that the culture of the country you live in as well as the other cultures that you have grown up surrounded by are all relevant and important to you within your life. You may try to discredit certain parts of you to try and “fit in” but nonetheless, those parts still are a part of you. The sub-concept of language is also represented when you consider music from other cultures and countries as part of their own musical language. Music is also an important part of culture. Certain songs are valued within cultures for one reason or another. This piece uses a variety of styles and references from across the world and throughout history, culminating a broader view of different cultural and national identities into one, powerful piece of music.
“‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is an ideal subject for exploration in contradictions. For most Americans, the song represents a paradigm of liberty and solidarity against fierce odds, and for others it implies a contradiction between the ideals of freedom and the realities of injustice and oppression.”
– Jessie Montgomery
This quote by Jessie Montgomery brings up an interesting idea about how the progress of our country has been a process. This process within the country is not complete, and likely will never be complete. However, we have made significant strides. “Banner” helps to demonstrate this progress by including contrasting sections, ultimately leading to a strong, powerful ending. That strong ending signifies the progress we have made and the drive to continue moving forward.
If you would like to listen to this piece, click here for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s performance directed by Gustavo Dudamel.
Montgomery, Jessie. “Banner (Jessie Montgomery).” LA Phil, https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/5841/banner.
Montgomery, Jessie. Jessie Montgomery explains her “Banner”. YouTube, uploaded by Grand Rapids Symphony, 30 Sep. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1LjvM9px7Q.