ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION
“The Stories Behind America’s Favorite Patriotic Songs” explores the surprising origins of the music that has shaped our national identity. Through familiar favorites like “Yankee Doodle,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and “This Land Is Your Land,” audiences discover how ordinary songs became enduring symbols of patriotism.
Along the way, the presentation uncovers fascinating myths, unexpected histories, and even a few pieces — like 1812 Overture and Rhapsody in Blue — that Americans adopted as patriotic despite never being written for that purpose. Rich musical excerpts and lively visuals bring each story to life.
60 MINUTES
ADULT AUDIENCES
IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL
FEATURED SLIDES
(Click on the first slide for a bigger view, then click your way through them all.)
ANIMATION REEL
I wanted the look of this presentation to reflect the sweep of the music and the history behind it. These songs carry pride, conflict, hope, protest, and memory, so I built the visuals to move across that same emotional range, from intimate historical moments to bold images of landscapes and public celebration. Every slide is a small attempt to honor the stories Americans have heard, inherited, and reshaped through song.