At www.thenationalanthems.com you can hear how 192 different countries present themselves aurally to the rest of the world. Sample some anthems from several continents and explore questions like: do they share any common features, like heavily enforced rhythms or fanfare effects? Would you be able to guess which country they represent? Choose contrasting pairs of anthems and examine whether words and tunes really feel as if they belong together. Do the patriotic sentiments go with that melody? Try performing one set of words to the tune of another (take care not to offend students’ cultural sensibilities) and discuss where the mismatches occur and why. Take a set of given words, and compose and score an anthem for the school.