An American Symphony

[junkheado]

Jim Keltner on drums

[mtlheadhusky]

got to play this in my high school band, was a fun song :)

[scifidrummergeek]

The timpani part's fun. I'm glad I get to play it again.

[raulcat19]

Brahms Nr.1 ;)

[MinnMaigi]

The drums are my favourite.

[jjaagg5050]

I cry when I see this movie. Love it! One of the best symphonies written.

[CountryDave84]

a outstanding tribute to American musical literature

[dadnapt24]

3 words...

God

Bless

America

[godzilloid]

In the movie, they cut a big section out

[annikin1357]

we're playing this in honor band :)

[InfinityZodiac]

@annikin1357 FUCK YOU i wanted to play this so bad!!!!!!!!

[annikin1357]

@InfinityZodiac Haha bro calm down

[danspivey91]

just wish it a tiny weeeeeeeeee bit faster!

[fanlovecraft]

not bad

[emilyish013]

were doing this for our spring concert!!!

[HDvideosaregood]

It's kind of brief for a life's work.

[JRybka]

@HDvideosaregood there is actually a long version.. this is the short version. (and he had life in the way of his work.)

[RS250Squid]

@HDvideosaregood If I could give something as powerful as this to my grandchildren, I think I'd be satisfied :-).

[Kazuo1G]

@HDvideosaregood If you think about it, in the film, this was ONE man (a High School music teacher, no less) composing an entire symphonic piece. Think of one person doing an entire Leonardo-Da-Vinci-like painting from moderate art experience. (like shading, color theory, shapes, perspective, and other stuff you learn in college.) So if you think about it, yes, It's brief, and it's only one song, but it's got a lot of heart and soul put into it.

[rich2169]

This majestic piece of music is wonderful. It's moving, inspiring, and the music is put together in such a way you are very moved by the score it's truly inspiring. It evokes such emotion to bring a tear to your eye while listing to it. It's truly a WONDERFUL piece that I've heard anywhere.

[boundaryzero]

Absolutely the mightiest piece of orchestra music ever.... Mr. Kamen you will live in in eternity like your music.

[daggett588525]

This was a wonderful movie. I myself am in the music arts and work with the deaf community, so it hits home! If there is a longer version of the symphony, I'd love to hear it! Beautiful music!

[vanmoody]

Isn't it funny how, "An American Symphony was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra? Funny to me anyways.

[daveyj10]

@vanmoody Yeah, i'm sure this was tough for LSO to perform.... drum-set? ..distorted guitar? ...really?

[vosejpkaman07]

Where can i find the full 8:28 minute song of An American Symphony from Mr. Holland's Opus

[AriovistusTheGreat]

You seem to have missed the point of the story daveyj10. His life's work was his students; he put his music aside for them.

[daveyj10]

If this composition was my life's work (as in the movie), then I have failed as a composer.

[HerrWagnerfreund]

Do you really think it's so bad?

[AriovistusTheGreat]

@daveyj10 You seem to have missed the point of the story. His life's work was all his students; he put his music (the composition) on hold for them.

[beachgrly88]

gives me chills every single time...

[Kolorthrage]

Dunno which song is better but theyre both really great but its a close contest between this one and "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller.... but if i had to choose it would prolly be In The Mood.

[daveyj10]

@Kolorthrage In the mood? ... there's nothing like an Ab blues for eternity... gag

[quizmast]

The horn part is beast, but you gotta have the chops...

[boundaryzero]

I want to see this played live....

[boundaryzero]

I want to see this played live.... darn

[bizashley1]

I wish An American Symphony was played at my high school graduation when I graduated, but it wasn't. Though I am sure that if I had to hear this I would have gotten even more teary eye then what I already was.

[TONILOVE28]

@bizashley1 I hear ya I wish was played at my graduation as well. ooooo mmmmmyyyyyy goodness I'm speechless this soundtrack i just have to get. This musical gets me every time.

[rocksanjose]

Very, very moving!

[kuramafan333]

I still get goosebumps everytime I hear it. It's trully beautiful.

[MuffinJowest]

The best part of the whole movie...

[oOblackwarriorOo]

This is one orchestral piece I will most definitely NOT get sick of. This has got to be one of the most movable pieces ever composed.

[jpsousa4]

This is missing the first half of the symphony?

[aj4787]

this is gorgeous. just amazing.

[JosephB42]

This piece of music gets me emotional as hell. I love music with a passion I would love to pursue music or be in a band this is great I love this movie

[sing4food]

After watching this movie I realized my life has a purpose. I am a third year of undergrad pursuing a degree in music education.

[kantfinaname]

i absolutely LOVE this!!!!! beautiful :)

[sharonb50ish]

Michael Kamen died way before he should have....sucks. This music speaks to many of us....just amazing.

[nisse3991]

This is really Michael kamen! WONDERFUL!

if you like this you should listen to Robin hood prince of thieves and band of brothers suite 1 & 2. Michael kamen is almost as good as john williams and Hans zimmer and ennio morricone.

thanks A LOT for posting.

[Thanos1919]

@nisse3991 Not almost as good as those two, but he is, or was, dang good. John Williams is the greatest movie score composer to ever live. Harry Potter, Minority Report, Star Wars, E.T., Jurassic Park, Memoirs of a Geisha...etc., etc....need I even go on? He is unbelievable, and so is Michael Kamen. I dang near can't stop listening to this "An American Symphony". Bravo.

[GinnyWeasleyFan16]

Dude, all I can say to you so to go fuck yourself .

First off, this is music! Not stupid rap that you can't flipping understand the word.

Second, IT'S SUPPOSED TO PLAY WITH FEELINGS!

Third, you need help, if you don't think that this is music, than you never heard of music.

Last off, why do people comment about retarted crap even though they will have people replying to them saying what a flipping idiot you are.

GO FUCK YOURSLEF!

Love, Natalie.

[tabularasa2011]

I'll love you too, Natalie, you poor retarted girl.

[FarmerSev]

@tabularasa2011-Tabula Rasa is a terrible game. Garbage.

If your video game tastes are of similar alignment to your music tastes, it's evident that you have no sense at all.

[tabularasa2011]

I don't know about a game called "tabula rasa". Tabula Rasa is latin and means "blank slate".

[suteki1000]

You spelled "retarded" wrong..... if you are going to insult someone, at least have proper grammar :-/

[drummerblade]

@tabularasa2011 this isn't good music to you? then what is?

[Thanos1919]

@tabularasa2011 Come on Lol A movie about music and emotion has a song that plays on music and emotion...and that is somehow "A piece of sh@!"? Rofl. This statement is so ridiculous that I instantly realized that you are simply trying to get a rise out of someone Lol. It's like saying Phil Jackson isn't a great coach, when he has 10 NBA Titles, and might win 11 this year Lol. People just laugh at and dismiss you Lol.

[KenneWilleJ1102]

this song is great and sound epic

[drummerblade]

the electric guitar at 0:41 is so sick! this whole song is fantastic though. excellent movie too.

[ironspoon]

yes he was an awesome composer

[filmcomposer79]

Michael Kamen was a brilliant composer. I had the honor of meeting him a few years before he died while at school. Great composer and great guy.

[ac04project]

omg this is music of the gods!

[boundaryzero]

love the bass guitar on this track.....

[dainbramagedpro]

AWESOME SONG!

[NihilusJK3]

I just watched the movie today, and I must say that it brought me to tears. This piece of music is a masterpiece, and the movie is absolutely amazing. If anyone has not seen this movie, I reccomend rushing to your nearest blockbuster and trying to find it, and if that doesn't work, use an online movie rental site.

[tzebra]

An amazing tribute to a unique nation, which for such a young age has accomplished, created, invented, freed, and inspired more than any other in history.

[Acteon346]

@tzebra kinda false

[TheDaviboy86]

@tzebra that's what i call modesty *g* 

[kimimaroluver1]

is this music supposed to be happy? because it makes me cry^^

[kenporich2006]

Its OK. Tears of joy are just fine. Peace.

[noxcuse1406]

absolutely uplifting music

[alilu12]

Excelente canicón!!!!!

[greenvictorias]

one of my favorite movies of all time...

[rlsicebear]

i have this for flute and it's well cool

[inaree]

We're playing this at the Symphonic level in the All-Region orchestra here...I like it. :D

[boundaryzero]

Ive heard this song countless times now.

If I go too long without it, it starts playing in my head.

The producers shouldve added the actual orchestral version video clip on the end after the movie was over.... a fitting tribute to one of the greatest pieces of music written.

[kamwrites]

This music says so much about the movie itself, and Richard's performance as he conducts is his absolute best, hands down. An amazing moment in movie history that's too sadly overlooked.

[marchingbandisbest]

truly amazing.

im 15. and this is one of my favorite songs. i hope we can play this song in concert band this year.

i want this song played at my funeral.

[Amar7605]

This song IS America! Everytime I hear it, I think about how everything that makes the United States so greaet!

[Chriscatus]

This film is both moving and inspiring. One of my favorites. It's one of the very few films that makes me cry.

[MWolleDK]

Almost the same in my case. The first time i ever saw the movie i almost cried. If i see it again i can also feel tears coming. And Mr. Holland's Opus is the very only movie that have done that to me!

[happyperson1982]

This movie made me want to become a music teacher.

[nd3287]

it has done the same with me, countless times every time i watch it..

[Krospoocolis]

The Music of his Life...

[sbac32]

thank you soo much for posting this! its absolutely amazing..

[ajinbc]

Outstanding. One of the most uplifting pieces of mordern music there is. Bravo.

[Wattuxman]

One of the best orchestral pieces of all time. *****

[goodguysdoll]

@Wattuxman are you INSANE?

[daveyj10]

@Wattuxman I'm not sure I'd go that far...

[NMMan]

If this musical piece doesn't move you in one way or another, I don't know what will.

[chkjns]

@NMMan It's moved me to tears for ten minutes now, after reading Michael Kamen's wiki & just being amazed at the broad scope of Kamen's work, from Pink Floyd to THIS !!! Kamen's is the newest of my 550 playlists honoring the greatest musicians of the past century. 330 lists for musicians like Kamen, 111 lists for every year since 1900 (added this to 1995) and nearly 30 lists by genre, this now on the film favorites list, too.

sbob, this is a gem! Thanks for posting it !!!

[hero1naka]

@NMMan

Agreed, if you don't feel moved you don't have a pulse.

[daveyj10]

@NMMan This is the "Kenny G." of orchestral arrangements... Better music will move me...

[PerfectSense3]

@daveyj10 wrong, you have to say "other music will move me".

[wermmakir]

@NMMan pshaw