An American Elegy

Many thoughts have been screaming through my head recently. None of these thoughts I will type out for you to hear but I just want to let everyone know how much I appreciate them for their help. Recently I have been going through a lot of emotional and academic stress and I haven’t had any idea what to do. Thank you again to everyone that has helped me through this. Every day is worth living to its fullest, but you can’t live it to its fullest when you’re not having fun with what you’re doing. Things have slowly started to push faster and faster as the time span to do these things grows shorter and shorter. The adrenaline starts flowing through my veins and the tears begin to fall for all the love, pain, fear, joy, wonder and hope that has been happening. One thing that has been tugging at my heart only shows itself when we play it in Symphonic Band. The piece “An American Elegy” has made me tear up every time I play it. I more than likely tomorrow night at the concert will cry yet again. It’s a piece that will forever have a special meaning to me. We all have lost something special to us before. Whether that be a grandparent, mother, father or even a pet… it was something, or someone you lost that you love dearly. Here is what the websites commission and premiere information reads:

An American Elegy is, above all, an expression of hope. It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It is offered as a tribute to their great strength and courage in the face of a terrible tragedy. I hope the work can also serve as one reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how intimately connected we all are as human beings.

An American Elegy was commissioned by the Columbine Commissioning Fund, a special project sponsored by the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Colorado on behalf of the Columbine High School Band. Contributors to the Fund included members, chapters, alumni, and friends of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Fraternity and Sorority.

The work received its premiere performance by the Columbine High School Band, William Biskup, Director, Frank Ticheli, guest conductor, on April 23, 2000. Its premiere served as the centerpiece of a special commemorative concert given by the Columbine High School Band in conjunction with the University of Colorado Wind Symphony, held at Macky Hall in Boulder, Colorado.

http://www.manhattanbeachmusiconline.com/frank_ticheli/html/an_american_elegy.html

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Take a listen when you get the chance. It may seem boring to the naked ear but if you sit, listen and place yourself in the position of everyone during that time, you will most definitely feel as though you were there. Go listen and remember those who love you and those who care about you, because they may not be here tomorrow.