Mark Time Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 (edited) The Austin Stars are proud to announce their 2007 inaugural program: “Stars In Your Eyes; A Look Into the Heart of Texas and America”. Repertoire: "Lone Star" arr. Brent Unger and Chris Montemayor "Amber Waves" by Morton Gould, arr. Unger/Montemayor "American Salute" by Morton Gould, arr. Unger/Montemayor When you meet people from all walks of life, you can tell a lot about what is important to them, what makes them proud and who they love by looking in their eyes. It could be an elderly man reminiscing about the simpler times of growing up in “middle America”, someone who is ravenously proud of their home state, or a soldier serving their country with pride. “Stars In Your Eyes; A Look Into the Heart of Texas and America” features the music of Morton Gould and is a short but powerful glimpse into the very center of why we love our home. Texans are notoriously proud to be Texans. This phenomena is reflected in the Austin Stars opener “Lone Star” which is based on the state song “Texas, Our Texas”. After the tension-building, typical drum corps style introduction, the piece goes into an unexpected Latin/Cuban jazz feel reflected especially through the interpretation of percussion. The tune is topped off with more good ‘ol drum corps style loud chords and runs with a final lick at the end reminiscent of an old perennial DCI southern powerhouse from the 1980’s. The journey from the heart of Texas into the heart of America begins with Morton Gould’s “Amber Waves”. Based on “America The Beautiful” and featuring the Austin Stars Hornline, this piece is lush with dark, beautiful tones that spotlight trumpet, mellophone and baritone soloists. It serves to remind us that we are the most blessed nation in the world and we can all be united by that fact despite political or other differences. “American Salute”, another Morton Gould masterpiece, is based on “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, a popular song from the American Civil War that expressed peoples longing for the safe return of their loved ones who were fighting in the war. Unfortunately, the tragedy of war is no longer something we only read about in U.S. History class or watch on the History Channel. Today it is very real as it affects thousands of American families from all walks of life. Almost everyone can say they have a friend or relative who is serving our country at this critical time in our history. The Austin Stars present “American Salute” as a major production with a bombastic brass introduction, a percussion feature in which the battery almost literally becomes artillery and a finale that will reach into the heart of every American soul. Our own assistant director, Evan Morgan, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, is currently serving overseas in Afghanistan and is scheduled to return home in the summer of 2007. The Austin Stars are proud to dedicate our entire 2007 production to all the men and women who are serving in the U.S. military, especially those overseas and in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of whether we are for or against war, we all love you, thank you for your service to our country and pray for your safe return. The Austin Stars are an all-age drum & bugle corps based in Austin, Texas. For more information about how you can join or support the “Stars” please visit our website at www.austinstars.org. Edited December 9, 2006 by Mark Time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camel lips Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 "Amber Waves" Wasent that the name of the Porn star in Boogie nights? :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraNYC Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Nice Brent!!! And the show theme reminds me of that tune that kd land covered on Shadowland - Don't let the Stars Get in Your Eyes dont let the stars get in your eyesDont let the moon break your heart Love blooms at night In daylight it dies Dont let the stars get in your eyes Oh keep your heart for me For someday Ill return And you know (see) youre the only one Ill ever love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CozyChopsCom Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Wow! A patriotic show with loud chords. I can't wait to hear and see it. I've been disappointed by the lack of patriotic tunes in performing arts considering the current world. Thanks for your show, Brent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rratex Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Glad that the Stars have finally arrived. Look forward to seeing you all and hearing the show tunes in Austin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disko_stew Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 sounds like this will be a very nice program. i look forward to seeing/hearing it this august in nashville. congrats to brent and the rest of the crew that are making the austin stars a reality. :) :mmm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Time Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 sounds like this will be a very nice program. i look forward to seeing/hearing it this august in nashville. congrats to brent and the rest of the crew that are making the austin stars a reality. :) :mmm: Thanks Matt. Awesome avatar you have there. Reminds me of a very proud moment for MCL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disko_stew Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 (edited) Thanks Matt. Awesome avatar you have there. Reminds me of a very proud moment for MCL! not to hijack your thread, but... yeah...i think you may know the guy that took that picture, brent! it was quite odd being a drum major at retreat with no corps behind me to lead out. it was still an honor and a proud moment indeed for a 1st-year corps at dca's. Edited December 10, 2006 by disko_stew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jomusichn Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 I cant wait to see your show. You guys rocked last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Time Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 not to hijack your thread, but...yeah...i think you may know the guy that took that picture, brent! it was quite odd being a drum major at retreat with no corps behind me to lead out. it was still an honor and a proud moment indeed for a 1st-year corps at dca's. I was a proud pappa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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