The Study of American Culture - Essay Example

when Due: Introduction Different people have different cultures. Culture of a particular group ofpeople is reflected when they bear common characteristics defined by everything from language, religion social habits and music. Other common characteristics which constitute culture are cuisine and arts. Today, in United States, culture has been largely influenced by different groups of immigrants who constitute its large population (McWilliams, 212). Expression of culture by series of cultural events has been majorly encouraged. This has been done mainly in various learning institutions for instance high schools, colleges and universities. In the following essay, I am discussing three cultural events I attended, how they are organized and their importance to an individual and the society at large. Dance In United States, there are great variety of dances be it hip hops, rock and roll, square dance among others (Long, 121). Its history has evolved over time. On recent past, modern dances have introduced in the country. Other varieties of dances still maintained in the United States are the performance dances. This kind of a dance constitutes the range of traditional Native American dances. Among the performed dances in the cultural event I attended was the African American dance. It is a vernacular dance done by African American communities. Its theme revolves about the social dance. Over years, it has undergone some development since their changes in centered in the personalities, needs and interests of the participants (Long, 155). Other performed dances were the modern American dance. Its history is dated in the early 20th century. It developed alongside the American music. Isadora Duncan and Ted Shawn are among the first pioneers of the dance (Long, 135). Swing dance and American folk songs were also performed. From then, there has been more progress witnessed in the dance since the latest dance styles are much different from those of early 19th century. United States has offered much support to the cultural events organization. On the recent pasts, these events have been stretched to high schools, colleges, studios and other performing areas. Studies have shown that these dances are of benefits to both individual and the community. To an individual performer, dances boost senses coordination. Most of the dances ranging from traditional to modern dances are performed mostly by body movements. In many instances, performers are trained to follow a specific order for a particular performance. These processes engage the senses of the participants hence sharpening them up. Dances give an opportunity to an individual to learn and acquire new skills enabling them to explore their creative side. Like other cultural events, dances are fun. It is at dance events where people laugh and explore. It is an outside class activity where participants and those involved expresses their emotions, tell stories and just enjoy the materials. In dances, people combine both skills and ideas be it physically, mentally, psychological or emotional making them discover how flexible media and projects are. Music Music in the United States has evolved over time. This is attributed to mixing traditions held by different immigrants in the States making its music reflects the multi-ethnic population. Among the different cultures expressed in music are the traditions from West Africa, Scottish, Irish Mexican and Cuba (Diamond, 256). Different music genres from the United States are renowned internationally. Those include; jazz, hip hops, country, rhythm and blues, experimental, pop, techno among others. Like other music, United States music has some common characteristics derived from rhythm, melody, freedom and its format of the song. Most of the rhythms used in united states songs asymmetrical. Their melodies are also long and irregular. These characteristics have been said that they reflect on the wide open geographical of the American landscape. It is also said to reflect on the personal freedom characteristic on American life (Diamond, 259). Music in the United States has boosted its culture in many ways. It interrelates with American social and cultural identity. Music reflection of cultures is seen through race, social class, geography, gender, religion, ethnicity and sexuality. The meaning of music in the United States has been expressed through various interrelations. For instance, the relationship between music and race has done it great. It has been America’s song theme setter as seen in the development of African American music identity which has largely outsourced from Europe and Africa (Colby, 112). However other genres like country music have been derived from African, European, Hawaiian and Native American traditions. American folk music was also performed in the event. Most of the Native American tribes played their own varieties of folk music. A closer examination shows that most of the folk music is usually spiritual in their nature. The history of the Americas folk music is traced back to the colonial era when new styles including English, French and Spanish. This made the United States be the centre of the folk music from around the world by 20th century. These songs are characterized by their styles and techniques (McWilliams, 458). Those include the use of traditional instruments like flutes and the use of the descending melodic figures. Over years, research has show that the Americas folk music has diverged in other directions. It has fused with other genres and styles likes of Tejano music. Music limits no age, language and race. This makes it be the best and efficient tool to maintain and transfer cultural activities from one age to another, one language to another, and one community to another. Music can be learned by anyone since there is no previous knowledge or skill required. This aspect has further been boosted by existence of vernacular music in different ethnic groups making the process of music analysis and learning become an easy exercise. By this virtue, one can learn cultural themes expressed in music as well as its technique of expression. Other instances have shown that most people in United States knew some of the cultural activities from traditional song lyrics and performance. The use of traditional instruments during their presentations has boosted the culture spread to many people (McWilliams, 452). At the event, many people showed their interests of learning and using those instruments used in the past rather than the modern instruments. Theatre This was the last cultural event I attended. Generally, the theatre of the United States revolves about the western tradition and culture (Bordman, 234). Its history dates back to 15th century when some of the Native American tribes and the Spanish stated their performance. From then, theatre has diverged majorly into drama. In the pre-war theatre, most of the American plays were mostly melodramas, for example,the William Shakespeare’s works (Colby, 121). Theatres performed reflected the lives of the Americans in the 19th century. In some of the theatre performances, actors and actresses painted their faces black with some dark color makeup (Bordman, 254-258). This was to imitate the Africans of African American during the civil wars. They incorporated comic skits, plays and musicals all with heavy reflection on the racist themes. In other instances, other groups of actors associated their performance items to hedonism and violence where most of the actresses were looked down upon. Although theatre remains a popular American art form, earlier styles of theatre have been omitted. It has remained to be a unique method of culture transfer. Up to recent past, most of the theatre productions still entertain millions of theatergoers therefore serving as a crucial platform for expression and a venue of the identity exploration for the under-represented, minority in the society (Bordman, 320). Aspart of cultural events in the United States, theatre has not only boosted culture but also benefited most of the students who act and watch. Research has shown that most of the students who involve themselves in theatre arts develop cognitive and imagination skills. They also boost their language and general communication as well as ability to focus and concentrate. They in turn accept and respect their cultural understandings. From theatres with cultural presentations, most of the communities in the United States have benefited much. It has created community cultural awareness-a situation where people realize the importance of their culture as well as embracing it (Bordman, 236). This has resulted to most of the communities getting cultural experience and skills making them well-rounded. In conclusion, cultural events have done great in culture awareness and maintenance. Starting with varieties of music, culture has been maintained. This is brought out in the music formats and techniques, instruments involved and occasions they are performed. Although the musical presentations have been changing with time, themes and tradition techniques have been maintained. Like music, dance and theatre have also created an impact in culture among people in various parts of United States. It is through dances and theatres where cultures have been instilled into people especially in learning institutions. On the recent past, it has been an annual event in most of the learning institutions ranging from high schools to universities. The three cultural events among others are organized and facilitated in various places and institutions so as to boost cultural awareness among its people. Works cited Bordman, Gerald Martin. The Oxford companion to American theatre. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. Colby, Vineta. American culture in the sixties. New York: Wilson, 2008. Print. Read More