Marching to Their Own Beat

What's going on in Tupelo?

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• practice - event at which a person or group practices an activity (such as singing, dancing, playing music, etc.) in order to prepare for a public performance
• capital - city in which the main offices of a government can be found
• inauguration - the formal beginning of someone’s new job or position
• ache - hurt
• overwhelming - very great in number
• basically - essentially, in fact
• heyday - time when someone or something is most successful
• manufacturing - industry of making products, especially with machines in factories
• boost - help to grow

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. What are the Tupelo High School Band players practicing for?


2. What reason(s) do the students give for wanting to go to Washington?


3. How many students would have voted for Donald Trump?


4. What is the connection between Elvis Presley and Tupelo?


5. Where exactly will the students perform?

Extra words questions
Watch the video again. Focus on the following moments:

1. At 1:58 the commentator says:
   “But we’re not here to talk about the King. We want to talk about the new president.”
   Who is “the King” he is referring to?


2. At 2:31 the commentator says:
   “They believe the new president will cut red tape.”
   Explain the underlined expression.