siLk Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 An American Elegy was written to commemorate the Columbine tragedy. I don't know if drum corps is an appropriate setting for it if it's done with guard work that alters the intended meaning of the piece. beat me to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madscout96 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I don't think American Elegy should be done at all, narration or no. It was written for the memory of the victims and for the hope of the survivors. If they do it, they should be really careful to have a visual presentation that will represent the same mood and feeling of the original piece. And the guard should definitely not use rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07-Socks Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I don't think American Elegy should be done at all, narration or no. It was written for the memory of the victims and for the hope of the survivors. If they do it, they should be really careful to have a visual presentation that will represent the same mood and feeling of the original piece.And the guard should definitely not use rifles. I seriously didn't think about that part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euponitone Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I seriously didn't think about that part. Great. Last year the Cadets were pro-abortion, and this year, we find that they are insensitive to the columbine tragedy because they use rifles in a drum corps show. (btw - im not arguing that it isnt a little awkward....but jeez) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbc03 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 A piece of music can have more than one meaning/interpretation. An American Elegy is not an exception Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddschultz Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 A piece of music can have more than one meaning/interpretation. An American Elegy is not an exception I think many pieces can have more than one meaning, however, with this piece in discussion being about such an awful tragedy, and with the tragedy itself being less than a decade ago, I hardly think a drum corps show is the time or the place to change the meaning of such a piece. Furthermore, I don't think that if the piece was used as it was originally intended would be appropriate. In the program notes there is a mention that Columbine did not have an Alma Mater prior to this piece. Tichelli wrote/arranged an alma mater for the school as stated in said program notes, so I do not see how this piece could have more than one meaning. Unless of course we strip away the title and original intention of the piece. It'd be like saying that when some shoe company used the Beatles Revolution song as a theme for their sneakers, that the piece now served a purpose of selling shoes and about Revolution...I mean yeah, it served that purpose to the marketing department, but it is still a song about Revolution, not about selling gym shoes. I don't think it is our place as observers, listeners, designers, etc. to determine the meaning of a song when it is right there for us. Back to the original thought, do some songs have the ability to have multiple meanings, I guess to some people, does An American Elegy have that ability, not in my world. Just my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAMystreaux Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Nice to know some of you will give the show, which is months away from even being fielded, a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glory Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 A piece of music can have more than one meaning/interpretation. An American Elegy is not an exception Thank you. HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
contrajedi8 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Oh for goodness sake, come on folks. This is a great piece of music. I've performed it and conducted it for concert band many times. The Cadets have every right to perform it. I'm sure most of the music out there was never intended for the drum corps medium. I'm sure Shostakovich never said to himself "Man, I hope Phantom Regiment plays this someday." I'm sure the meaning behind the piece will not be drastically altered in any way. But, if they get permission to arrange it and perform it, they can do whatever they like with Ticheli's permission. Sometimes I swear you people look for every opportunity to bash on Hopkins and the Cadets at every turn. End the witch hunt, folks. It's getting old. Grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCVsopAaron Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 An American Elegy was written to commemorate the Columbine tragedy. I don't know if drum corps is an appropriate setting for it if it's done with narration that alters the intended meaning of the piece. That said, it is just beautiful...I encourage everyone to find the piece if they haven't heard it. I agree and disagree. Yes, I think that the fact that it was written for Columbine warrants an appropriate setting, which I'm sure Cadets will give it, but think of the countless other pieces that were written or dedicated to others or events that when put in a new context work just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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