@tdadmdbd The piece is also about hope and not just remembering if you had actually played this piece in your life you could read it right under the titale it tells you exactly what the song is about. Do your research!
I'm a senior at Cinco and i played this last year :) This is probably my favorite piece i've played. I personally like the slower tempo. Not hating on the fast one at all, I just like the slower temp better. Ironically, the slower one is more moving to me ;) haha. I feel the slow and drawn out phrases pull out all the emotion of the song ya know? but it's music. music is made to be interpreted various ways.. i think we should respect everyone's interpretation and way of playing it.
Tempo is way too fast, it loses all of it's meaning at this tempo. It's a shame you disgraced such a beautiful piece. This piece was because of a school shooting, and you disgraced it with such distaste. I felt almost no emotional attachment whatsoever. It's a shame what you've done to it. For a texas band, it really sucks that you didn't look into the background of the piece, and it's true emotional aspects.
@tdadmdbd Your comment is amazing. It shows a huge lack of musical knowledge. True, this piece is about a tragedy, but if YOU had looked into the background of the piece, you would see that the composer intended it to be about hope as much as anything. The tempo is refreshing against the dragging that this piece usually experiences. This conductor and band does some terrific phrasing that few bands could match. It makes the piece more moving than ever. Stick with your video games.
The first time I saw Scott work was at Richland High School Band Hall. AMAZING! He is very receptive to constructive criticism from other musicians. I am curious if he still uses the coffee cup warmer during rehersals.
It is very difficult to be the child of a famous band director. YOU are expected to be greater than perfect.
I thought this performance was beautiful and very well done, but the tempo was a little too fast. This music should be slower so that you can have more time to remember those at Columbine HS and remember those loved ones that you personally have lost. This music is the most moving piece of music ever written. Bravo to Frank Ticheli and bravo to all the bands that have played An American Elegy.
To have the 5A State Honor Band in Texas twice you probably know more about what he's doing than you.....that is unless you've had the honor band three or more times in Texas.
You say you would have done it differently? Hmmmm, where's the video of you conducting a band?
The whole piece is beautiful and expressive at virtually any range of tempos, as long as the conductor follows the speed up/slow down patterns that Ticheli marked. Which they did, with an intonation that no other high school bands can match ;)
the tempo IS way too fast. everyone else who said this got thumbs down but i agree with them. it's WAY too fast. it's supposed to be mournful, hopeful. rushing through everything isn't gonna get ticheli's point across.
It's not too fast. I agree you make it your own. My high school played this my sophomore year and it had me crying at the end. It's so beautiful and the way that Tichelli ties in the chords just the right way. It's truly amazing. Great job Langham Creek.
im sorry but are you the director of this band? if so u must have lost your mind you guys rushed through all the really sentimental parts like at 6:00 and the trumpetsolo is to be DISTANT it says OFFSTAGE TRUMPET SOLO
No, I am not the director. And the trumpet solo was played offstage. If you knew anything you would realize that the mike just picked it up too much. If everybody played a piece of music the same, we would only need to have it played once and then never play it again. You need to be more tolerant of other people's interpretations. Eventhough you might have heard a piece before, try listening to it like it's your first time. And the director here is a better one than you will ever run into.
the TEMPO IS WAY TOO FAST FOR THIS SONG I OWN THE SCORE this is at like 100 its to be played at 60 and too many glisandos in the begining but still pretty but a little to fast
man this piece brings back some memories, great great tune. wow so emotional. I remember when we played it the crowd was completely silent after we finished. we had some moms crying. haha.
I had the chance to play this with my college symphony band. all I got to say is the Alto part 1 in this is amazing. Also all the alto parts in his song are great.
I really do wish my band had some kind of video recording of when we did this song. This song is brilliant in every kind of way. The trumpet solo, everything is breathtaking. Our director actually cried after playing this song.
I had the privilege of playing the trumpet solo in concert last Thursday. I can honestly say that I have never been inspired to put more emotion into a piece of music than I was with this one. When I was standing offstage and my band played the alma mater section, it literally brought a tear to my eye. Then I played the best solo of my life. Thank you, Frank Ticheli for writing such a wonderful piece of music for such a wonderful cause.
What do you play? I'm the baritone player for the Layfayette IN McCutcheon Band. The only one. I was drafted from trombone. It's so nice to figure out how the 4 part canon should go. I'm still struggling to learn the baritone. only a few months and I'm allready being shoved to play some crazy stuff.
Conductors can choose to take what is on paper but its what the band makes the music out of it, the paper is just lines you have to read between them then you will see the music. You have to change it up a little!
No nyjets is correct, I've played this piece with Mr. Ticheli himself, and 6:00 is a part of the Columbine alma matter that he wrote for them because they didn't have one and it is meant to be drawn out not rushed. But other than the rush at 6, its a great performance of the song.
That is indeed correct, it's written on his website. and, my band director, William Biskup, told us the same, he was the band director at Columbine when the shootings happened, and, it was his band The Columbine High School band that played its world premiere with Mr. Ticheli Conducting.
Sorry, guys, but this interpretation is fine. The composer is not God. If we played every piece based on the composer's instructions, we would only perform a piece once. There would be no point in doing it again as it would still be played the same. This is the best performance and interpretation of this piece I ever heard.
def not best ever, not by a long shot, whole song was just to fast, at 6:00 was probably 60 clicks to fast, Dr. Ticheli puts tempo markings on all his work for a reason.
Every time I watch this I realize how proud I am that I was part of a high school music program and how lucky I was to have been a part of such a good one.
No, Concert I/II, though I actually had Mr. McAdow as my teacher/director my Sophmore/Senior year.
It is obviously different, but I feel very strongly that my education was not trivialized. It would be easy to just write off your third band as unimportant and focus on symphonic, but he took us seriously.
I think some parts were a little fast, but it was played very beautifully. This is the best rendition I've heard on here so far.
I especially like the 2nd trombone little 2 note thing at 3:10ish... it was my favorite part of playing this piece.
The Trumpet solo should have been played off stage. It' so awesome when it's played off stage because it's supposed to be a faint, barely heard, angelic voice that rings out hope.
Overall it was very pretty, just a little too fast for my liking.
Calm down french horns! You're butchering it! I know you're supposed to dominate at the start, but don't blast. This song is beautiful, but it went way too fast. My band played it my freshman year. Not only did we get sweepstakes, but we were told by two judges that it was the best rendition they had heard. Good times.
Whoa, kid! Get a grip. This is not too fast. Congrats on the sweepstakes. That's really nice. This group has gotten sweepstakes for at least the last 20 consecutive years. As for some judges liking your "best rendition", that's only because they hadn't heard this one.
I think the horns played gorgeously, personally... that part gives me chills everytime. I played this before at band camp. We didn't do that amazing at it, but atleast I got introduced this amazing piece.
The tempo is fine. You have it wrong. Before we had MM markings, we had general things like Allegro or Adagio, etc. It's only a guide. It's not carved in stone. Most bands plays this so slow that it drags horribly.
This is probably would of my favorite concert band songs I've ever played. Omg it's GORGEOUS. The horns at 50:00 are awesome... a lot of bands butcher that really important part. It was really good!
One time, we had an instrumental ensemble play at our church. I was playing clarinet and the bassoonist you are talking about was playing with us also. The piano we were using was pretty out of tune and I was having a hard time matching pitch with it. But then I noticed that this high school bassoonist behind me was having no trouble with the piano at all. He was matching pitches up, down, and sideways with the bad piano. Very cool!
We played this song my 9th grad year in symphonic band.That is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard.R.I.P. students & faculty of Columbine High School
Hardcase, huh?. Well, sorry, but music is intended for listening. It's not for mimicing someone's written instructions. Many composers have had second thoughts concerning something they wrote on a score after hearing a conductor's interpretation.
If you see this as rushed then your conductor is too boring to phrase things beyond just dynamic contrast. This conductor, who is one of the most educated, passionate, and amazing teachers possibly ever, is conducting so much phrasing in terms of the proposal and resolution of rhythm and time and space that it's unreal. This is simply the greatest live recording of this ever! It was put together in only a few weeks and that is amazing. Not rushed - check a met and then be open minded musicians!!
I would just like to point out that Mr. Ticheli wrote it that way for a reason, as explained to us by our band director, whose band premiered this piece on the one year anniversary, with Mr. Ticheli conducting. It is not meant to be rushed. Feel free to check Mr. Ticheli's website, it mentions William (Bill) Biskup, then director of the band at Columbine, current band director at Texas City HS.
I'm a French horn player and this is one of my all-time favorite songs! It is truly a beautiful song. The only complaint I have about this is that I feel it is a little rushed! Enjoy the moment is what I think of everytime I hear/play this song.
You guys sound like you had a blast playing this. I remember playing a stripped down version of this at State my freshman year, and wow did that leave out so many awesome parts. I keep going back to the horn part at 4:26 and listening to it again.
Omg that is so good! Love the French horns!Imperium is no where near as hard that might have been!LOL!I just started band this year and I'm already at a senior level!:D:P!at least that is what my band teacher says!:D:P
i am in my school's wind ensemble and we are playing this song for contest on april 2nd , 2008 if you read this message a long time from now you will probably say hahaha she was in highschool 4 yrs ago. but ok i just wanted to see how we sounded compared to other ppl. i like how they play but sometimes they sound out of tune. however i love the way they sound so confident and their dymanic contrast. but then they rush too much
Our band recently played this piece. It was AMAZING. We were emotionally drained by this piece.
man. the tempo is too fast! It needs to be slower to have a more "touching" effect. Once again, Way too quick! This isn't one of those pieces that just "runs". U have to enjoy every second of it, which is why going slower makes it more enjoyable. This piece usually lasts around 10:30. They were 1:30 too quick.
The tempo here is good. Most bands play this so that it drags, drags, and then ddrraaggs some more. Going tempo di mudstuck does not make it more moving. The 3 video replies are that way.
What's cool here is how easily this group seem to make meaningful tempo changes. There are many well-turned musical phrases here. That makes it moving. It turns the whole piece into one concise statement.
The French Horn part in this song is amazing. This sounds really great. You can tell this was performed greatly, at 1:22 you can hear, im guessing the person taping, crying. Amazing.
omg this song is absolutely amazing. our band played it a few years ago and it was awesome. i had the sax solo and listening to this is making the tears come right back to my eyes like when i played it the first time.
In conclusion, putting an ensemble together and perfecting aspects besides technicality is the hardest thing to do, and you simply cannot beat this band.
An example: Look at Ronald Lo Presti's Elegy For A Young American. The song is technically easier than this one, but it's rated a grade 5, and almost nobody plays the song. Know why? Because it's next to impossible to make it sound great.
Regardless of how good you are as an individual player, your high school ensemble CANNOT play better than Langham Creek here. You guys obviously underestimate the sheer challenge it takes to perfectly balance an ensemble on a new piece and make it sound beautiful in a week, which is precisely what Langham did.
I've been tracking the comments on this video for awhile (I rewatch it a LOT). This is an open statement to people who say that they could play better:
Amazing. Well done. Tempo wise, it was ok. I dont know what everyone is complaining about. I do think they could have slowed it down where the Columbine Alma Matter is quoted. Has a little more emotion when that part is slow. Does anyone know where I can download various versions of this song?
you know i really do love the way you guys played it. if anyone knows of drum corps...listen to the concord blue devils version...its amazing and LOUUUUD
The tempo is not too fast. If you believe that Solti, Barenboim, Fennell, Eddie Green, and other great teachers/conductors of our times did not stick exactly to the tempos marked. If you don't know who those people are, then I can't see you playing "conductor" and commenting on tempo. This video is some of the finest playing I have ever heard a band do. Ever. And his interpretation is his, and that's what makes it less boring to hear the piece over and over again.
I played this song in high school. Before we played it at our concert, my director dedicated it in memory of two parents (of band members) who had died in the last year. since then, this song has had a special place in my heart, along side my memories of columbine.
Whoa! Can't believe this is high school. Intonation, tone are excellent. Not to mention amazing phrasing. Wish video was better.
Ticheli did very well in making a technically simple piece very musical. Though ranges are easy for all instruments and no one is technically challenged, there is so much music here. And this group seems to get it all out. WWs @ 5:00 have incredible finesse. Excellent trumpet solo. Tremendous oboe and bassoon. Everything is wonderful. Great job Langham!
This piece always gives me chills listening to it. When that trumpet solo is pulled off amazingly, that is when you know that you have something in an ensemble.
This is really good! A bit too fast for my tasting. But overall, job well done!! I encourage you to watch Dr. Ticheli conduct this gorgeous piece with the Orange County Honor Band. It is simply magical =)
from tornadonow...I wanted to finish my posting with this, but it wouldn't let me write more than 4 of them :-)
I would rather listen to a performance that has variation to others like this one, and LISTEN TO PEOPLE PLAY TRULY EMOTIONALLY RATHER THAN FAKE IT ON A STUDIO RECORDING! BRAVO TO THE LANGHAM CREEK SYMPHONIC BAND for making "An American Elegy" come alive with SUPERIOR MUSICIANSHIP!!!!!
I have atleast 7 different recordings of this Elegy...my favorite being the Lassiter HS Band with the Columbine HS conductor conducting. It is emotionally amazing, regardless of minor issues that occur in live performance. Some people need the perfect studio recordings to be satisfied...
Enjoy music for the feeling it gives you, and the unique element that every performance will be different! I am a concert band nerd, I have ATLEAST 15 recordings of my favorite pieces. WHY!? Because they are all not like the University of North Texas plays it. You get something extra or different out of all of them.
Taravella played a stunning version of Holst's Hammersmith and Schwantner's In Evening's Stillness. I have heard Langham Creek do a terrific rendition of Pershichetti's Symphony 6, Strauss's Don Juan (a transcirption by Merlin Patterson I had never heard!), and Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry
I cannot believe how closed minded people are with interpretation, and saying "My school is better than yours!" I have heard both the Langham Creek Symphonic Band (Recently at the Midwest Clinic) as well as the JP Taravella Wind Orchestra (BOA 2004). Both are TOP NOTCH ENSEMBLES!
All you people keep saying well for TMEA, for college, for spring contest we played this so much slower, but there is one key difference between all of those performances and Langham's. I was in this 5A state honor band and we were given this piece less than a week before this concert instead of months. It was a spur of the moment dedication to the students fallen at VT, and no one can take away our sympathy for the families that lost loved ones in that tragedy.
I have to agree that the tempo is a bit too fast. I understand that the conductor is trying to give it life, but I can't enjoy this piece with it going so fast. My honor band played this my freshman year and got major kudos from all the judges at UIL...one even stated that it was the best performance of American Elegy that he had heard. I'm not saying that this band isn't great, I mean come on, they are the State Ensemble, but I think the director went a fast tempo for a piece like this.
Yeah this piece is just beautiful... It gives me chills just hearing it. Especially a well played offstage trumpet solo. Its just a genius piece of work for a good cause. Frank Ticheli is just a genius. Whoever plays this piece is just an amazing, accomplished band. To mock whoever plays this is just wrong.
I'm told they only rehearsed this for about a week. It was to honor the victims at VA Tech. The incident was on April 16 and this was performed May 10. Langham also had their spring contest in between those dates.
the tempo is just fine....and besides ticheli took this around the same tempo at TMEA in 2002, if not faster...please dont criticize...music is interpretation, no piece is ever performed the exact same every time...it wouldnt be music....study conducting and you'll find that out...flawless performance langam creek
Beautiful. I wish my wind ensemble wouldve done this piece... we did symphonic movement though and we definitely by far had the Horns to do it this year. But yeah dont criticize other bands. They played it beautifully. Whoever plays this piece is definitely an OUTSTANDING band. It takes a lot to play this. And criticizing the band who plays it is like spitting on the graves of everyone killed in a school shooting...
@tdadmdbd The piece is also about hope and not just remembering if you had actually played this piece in your life you could read it right under the titale it tells you exactly what the song is about. Do your research!
TheYankeeman09 1 month ago
Scott McAdow is the director of my band now O: !!
Keroppified 11 months ago
Comment removed
itsjennaleigh 1 year ago
I'm a senior at Cinco and i played this last year :) This is probably my favorite piece i've played. I personally like the slower tempo. Not hating on the fast one at all, I just like the slower temp better. Ironically, the slower one is more moving to me ;) haha. I feel the slow and drawn out phrases pull out all the emotion of the song ya know? but it's music. music is made to be interpreted various ways.. i think we should respect everyone's interpretation and way of playing it.
lilstinker06 1 year ago
I like this interpretation, taking it a little faster.
Flippinpinoy09 1 year ago
Tempo is way too fast, it loses all of it's meaning at this tempo. It's a shame you disgraced such a beautiful piece. This piece was because of a school shooting, and you disgraced it with such distaste. I felt almost no emotional attachment whatsoever. It's a shame what you've done to it. For a texas band, it really sucks that you didn't look into the background of the piece, and it's true emotional aspects.
tdadmdbd 1 year ago
@tdadmdbd Your comment is amazing. It shows a huge lack of musical knowledge. True, this piece is about a tragedy, but if YOU had looked into the background of the piece, you would see that the composer intended it to be about hope as much as anything. The tempo is refreshing against the dragging that this piece usually experiences. This conductor and band does some terrific phrasing that few bands could match. It makes the piece more moving than ever. Stick with your video games.
PearlsBeforeSwine1 1 year ago
@tdadmdbd Supposedly they prepared this piece for their spring concert as a reaction to the Virginia Tech shootings.
insidious 11 months ago
The first time I saw Scott work was at Richland High School Band Hall. AMAZING! He is very receptive to constructive criticism from other musicians. I am curious if he still uses the coffee cup warmer during rehersals.
It is very difficult to be the child of a famous band director. YOU are expected to be greater than perfect.
Mrdianalynn 1 year ago
I thought this performance was beautiful and very well done, but the tempo was a little too fast. This music should be slower so that you can have more time to remember those at Columbine HS and remember those loved ones that you personally have lost. This music is the most moving piece of music ever written. Bravo to Frank Ticheli and bravo to all the bands that have played An American Elegy.
GaryKrewer 1 year ago
i love the horns in this peice, we played this song for our symphonic band, it always brought a tear to my eye. its a beautiful song. truley.
kieofthesky 1 year ago
I know about the MS honor band, but the HS honors carry more weight.
SaxManiac100 1 year ago
To have the 5A State Honor Band in Texas twice you probably know more about what he's doing than you.....that is unless you've had the honor band three or more times in Texas.
You say you would have done it differently? Hmmmm, where's the video of you conducting a band?
SaxManiac100 1 year ago
@SaxManiac100 Actually, he's had three. Two with Langham Creek (03, 07) and one with Hildebrandt Middle School in Klein in 1989
bstuts7914 1 year ago
guys he probably wanted to play this differently. i loved it and the oboes were GREAT.
gREENtHUMBeh 1 year ago
Get off his junk. The band can play at whatever tempo they want, even march tempo.
victorlovesmusic 1 year ago
Amazing. People who hate, have no idea.
when there in Texas and have experienced playing in an Honor Band or an State Band then they can talk.
Congrats guys.
hhsband12 1 year ago
The whole piece is beautiful and expressive at virtually any range of tempos, as long as the conductor follows the speed up/slow down patterns that Ticheli marked. Which they did, with an intonation that no other high school bands can match ;)
The horn solos were amazing! Holy crap!
Aleve909 1 year ago
Comment removed
Aleve909 1 year ago
the tempo IS way too fast. everyone else who said this got thumbs down but i agree with them. it's WAY too fast. it's supposed to be mournful, hopeful. rushing through everything isn't gonna get ticheli's point across.
jck1794 2 years ago
yea its supposed to be like 67 at the start...definitely not 67
superman84241 2 years ago
A really fine group with superb musicality throughout!!
skcirmot 2 years ago
Simply beautiful great job!
brownocasio 2 years ago
The director is awful.
freshhh1994 2 years ago
The commenter is stupid.
ggfanguy 2 years ago 6
@freshhh1994 Obviously. He must be terrible to be conducting one of the best high school wind ensembles in the state.
shsraiderband 2 years ago
let alone one of the greatest high school ensembles in the nation!
MTenery14 2 years ago
you're awful.
ALIVEandAMPLIFIED 2 years ago
um, no.
crxhfspeed56 2 years ago
It's not too fast. I agree you make it your own. My high school played this my sophomore year and it had me crying at the end. It's so beautiful and the way that Tichelli ties in the chords just the right way. It's truly amazing. Great job Langham Creek.
misfits337 2 years ago
the tempo is fine.. not everyone has to play it the same way.. you the make music your own.
FortunateAzN 2 years ago
I have heard this played three times live in the last year -
and i must admit that i really enjoy this choice of tempo,
when it is played at 60 BPM it just seems to drag.
Langham never ceases to impress me there musical talent is beyond amazing.
cyeral 2 years ago
im sorry but are you the director of this band? if so u must have lost your mind you guys rushed through all the really sentimental parts like at 6:00 and the trumpetsolo is to be DISTANT it says OFFSTAGE TRUMPET SOLO
12blake12 2 years ago
No, I am not the director. And the trumpet solo was played offstage. If you knew anything you would realize that the mike just picked it up too much. If everybody played a piece of music the same, we would only need to have it played once and then never play it again. You need to be more tolerant of other people's interpretations. Eventhough you might have heard a piece before, try listening to it like it's your first time. And the director here is a better one than you will ever run into.
bstuts7914 2 years ago 3
actually, the part at 6:00 is meant to be a little quicker and up-beat seeing as it's Columbine H.S. new alma mater
sayuhedead 2 years ago
the TEMPO IS WAY TOO FAST FOR THIS SONG I OWN THE SCORE this is at like 100 its to be played at 60 and too many glisandos in the begining but still pretty but a little to fast
12blake12 2 years ago
The tempo is fine.
bstuts7914 2 years ago
its a great song and done really well but i just thought it was a little bit too fast
heartbreaka97 2 years ago
1st trombone part sounds great :)
SlidingHorn 2 years ago
Ohmygawsh(:
That was quite an eyeopener.
I just joined my school's symphonic band.
I'm pretty slow at reading the notes and the fingerings. D; A clarinetist(: Seriously wonder when will I ever be like em(: Seem so far off. O.O
ChewyChocs 2 years ago
This song is gorgeous, and this is a beaufiful interpretation of it.
Even with the quality of this video, it's breathtaking. Especially the french horns with the melody at the beginning.
truely amazing.
j565c 2 years ago
man this piece brings back some memories, great great tune. wow so emotional. I remember when we played it the crowd was completely silent after we finished. we had some moms crying. haha.
OSOelCHINGON 2 years ago
i get chills
every time i lisen
2 it
:p
ATBSsax4ever 2 years ago
great song we played this as well
KaiForce 2 years ago
I had the chance to play this with my college symphony band. all I got to say is the Alto part 1 in this is amazing. Also all the alto parts in his song are great.
markme3002 2 years ago
I really do wish my band had some kind of video recording of when we did this song. This song is brilliant in every kind of way. The trumpet solo, everything is breathtaking. Our director actually cried after playing this song.
moluvzjuice 2 years ago
The part at 6:00 has enough emotion. It didn't need to be completely rushed by the conductor to bring out the emotion.
nyjets19 2 years ago
totaly agree this peace is amazing as written
Dudesinm 2 years ago
I had the privilege of playing the trumpet solo in concert last Thursday. I can honestly say that I have never been inspired to put more emotion into a piece of music than I was with this one. When I was standing offstage and my band played the alma mater section, it literally brought a tear to my eye. Then I played the best solo of my life. Thank you, Frank Ticheli for writing such a wonderful piece of music for such a wonderful cause.
Ibanez3789 2 years ago
were practicing this peace for our spring concert
when i practice this peace its amaazing
this peace has so much emotion
my favorite of all time
Dudesinm 2 years ago
at 4:00 ... DANG, THAT'S A GOOD OBOE!
luke55698 2 years ago 2
It takes an AWESOME band to have an excellent recording on a normal video camera, and Langham Creek.... That was PHENOMENAL! *tear
BIGGUYLILHORN 2 years ago
This Song is very beautiful and nice
Ting132 3 years ago
What do you play? I'm the baritone player for the Layfayette IN McCutcheon Band. The only one. I was drafted from trombone. It's so nice to figure out how the 4 part canon should go. I'm still struggling to learn the baritone. only a few months and I'm allready being shoved to play some crazy stuff.
Glenhallprotectorite 3 years ago
I'm playing this in high school wind ensemble right now, and the euphonium part is just amazing.
Mszippy11111 3 years ago
I'm playing the euphonium part in my band. I have a recording here with the four part canon that Somehow got turned into a solo for me.
Glenhallprotectorite 3 years ago
I also played the Euphonium part for this song. It opened up my eyes to a whole new genre of music; I instantly fell deeply in love with this song.
mpc1301 2 years ago
Wow That Oboe Is Just Beautiful
spidermangeo 3 years ago
The conductor took parts way too fast. For example, at 6:00, it lost all of its grandeur because it was rushed.
nyjets19 3 years ago
Not correct. Actually, the tempo changes around 6:00 were brilliant. The contrasts added greatly to the emotion of the piece.
bstuts7914 3 years ago
Conductors can choose to take what is on paper but its what the band makes the music out of it, the paper is just lines you have to read between them then you will see the music. You have to change it up a little!
spidermangeo 3 years ago
No nyjets is correct, I've played this piece with Mr. Ticheli himself, and 6:00 is a part of the Columbine alma matter that he wrote for them because they didn't have one and it is meant to be drawn out not rushed. But other than the rush at 6, its a great performance of the song.
tazz419 3 years ago
That is indeed correct, it's written on his website. and, my band director, William Biskup, told us the same, he was the band director at Columbine when the shootings happened, and, it was his band The Columbine High School band that played its world premiere with Mr. Ticheli Conducting.
acalboi 2 years ago
Sorry, guys, but this interpretation is fine. The composer is not God. If we played every piece based on the composer's instructions, we would only perform a piece once. There would be no point in doing it again as it would still be played the same. This is the best performance and interpretation of this piece I ever heard.
bstuts7914 2 years ago
def not best ever, not by a long shot, whole song was just to fast, at 6:00 was probably 60 clicks to fast, Dr. Ticheli puts tempo markings on all his work for a reason.
jewcurls521 2 years ago
So, show us one with better pitch, tone, etc. as well as interpretation.
bstuts7914 2 years ago
wow I hope that one day when I conduct high school bands I would get the honor of conducting in front of a band like this. just beautiful.
SaxMan630 3 years ago
This is simply an amazing tribute to all who lost their lives on that sad day in April, 1999.
Beautifully played.
dsaturday10 3 years ago 2
Every time I watch this I realize how proud I am that I was part of a high school music program and how lucky I was to have been a part of such a good one.
insidious 3 years ago 2
Do you mean you were in Langham Symphonic?
bstuts7914 3 years ago
No, Concert I/II, though I actually had Mr. McAdow as my teacher/director my Sophmore/Senior year.
It is obviously different, but I feel very strongly that my education was not trivialized. It would be easy to just write off your third band as unimportant and focus on symphonic, but he took us seriously.
insidious 3 years ago
I think some parts were a little fast, but it was played very beautifully. This is the best rendition I've heard on here so far.
I especially like the 2nd trombone little 2 note thing at 3:10ish... it was my favorite part of playing this piece.
The Trumpet solo should have been played off stage. It' so awesome when it's played off stage because it's supposed to be a faint, barely heard, angelic voice that rings out hope.
Overall it was very pretty, just a little too fast for my liking.
wheatk 3 years ago
the solo was played off stage. it was just too loud. but still real nice
randallp09 3 years ago
beautiful, absolutely stunning
herolink0 3 years ago 2
We played this piece just this past year. It's such a moving and majestic piece.
HolyPegasus 3 years ago
Calm down french horns! You're butchering it! I know you're supposed to dominate at the start, but don't blast. This song is beautiful, but it went way too fast. My band played it my freshman year. Not only did we get sweepstakes, but we were told by two judges that it was the best rendition they had heard. Good times.
jellyrags07 3 years ago
Whoa, kid! Get a grip. This is not too fast. Congrats on the sweepstakes. That's really nice. This group has gotten sweepstakes for at least the last 20 consecutive years. As for some judges liking your "best rendition", that's only because they hadn't heard this one.
bandjock1 3 years ago
I think the horns played gorgeously, personally... that part gives me chills everytime. I played this before at band camp. We didn't do that amazing at it, but atleast I got introduced this amazing piece.
nathanbari 3 years ago
Hey now, let's not get cocky.
Okay, you're band got sweepstakes, no reason to go boasting and putting down other bands.
Limabean231 3 years ago
and 4:25 was embarrassingly too fast
This song is supposed to be 10:00 long
nathanbari 3 years ago
yes it was too fast supposed to be like 11 min not 9 lol
12blake12 2 years ago
The tempo is fine. You have it wrong. Before we had MM markings, we had general things like Allegro or Adagio, etc. It's only a guide. It's not carved in stone. Most bands plays this so slow that it drags horribly.
bstuts7914 2 years ago
This is probably would of my favorite concert band songs I've ever played. Omg it's GORGEOUS. The horns at 50:00 are awesome... a lot of bands butcher that really important part. It was really good!
nathanbari 3 years ago
yes alot of horns do kill tht part and it makes my heartace lol i love the horn part but i guess its cause i play it
12blake12 2 years ago
the bassonist in this band is EXCELLENT.sounds very mature.with the vibrato of a master bassonist. great job!
sd0623800 3 years ago 2
One time, we had an instrumental ensemble play at our church. I was playing clarinet and the bassoonist you are talking about was playing with us also. The piano we were using was pretty out of tune and I was having a hard time matching pitch with it. But then I noticed that this high school bassoonist behind me was having no trouble with the piano at all. He was matching pitches up, down, and sideways with the bad piano. Very cool!
bstuts7914 3 years ago
Beautiful.
ryojikun 3 years ago
We played this song my 9th grad year in symphonic band.That is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard.R.I.P. students & faculty of Columbine High School
portiamarvin 3 years ago
I will never EVER agree with that tempo for the "Majestic" at measure 111. The rest of the speed I could deal with but geez... =\
jaxonosu 3 years ago
Hardcase, huh?. Well, sorry, but music is intended for listening. It's not for mimicing someone's written instructions. Many composers have had second thoughts concerning something they wrote on a score after hearing a conductor's interpretation.
bandjock1 3 years ago 3
I also feel that it is a tad rushed in places. I've played this piece before.
drumsrule7591 3 years ago
If you see this as rushed then your conductor is too boring to phrase things beyond just dynamic contrast. This conductor, who is one of the most educated, passionate, and amazing teachers possibly ever, is conducting so much phrasing in terms of the proposal and resolution of rhythm and time and space that it's unreal. This is simply the greatest live recording of this ever! It was put together in only a few weeks and that is amazing. Not rushed - check a met and then be open minded musicians!!
Taipos 3 years ago 4
I would just like to point out that Mr. Ticheli wrote it that way for a reason, as explained to us by our band director, whose band premiered this piece on the one year anniversary, with Mr. Ticheli conducting. It is not meant to be rushed. Feel free to check Mr. Ticheli's website, it mentions William (Bill) Biskup, then director of the band at Columbine, current band director at Texas City HS.
acalboi 2 years ago
What do you think about the rest of the song?
insidious 2 years ago
Awesome rendition of this song. We're doing it in our school's wind ensemble and I LOVE it. Great job.
Pearl127 3 years ago
I'm a French horn player and this is one of my all-time favorite songs! It is truly a beautiful song. The only complaint I have about this is that I feel it is a little rushed! Enjoy the moment is what I think of everytime I hear/play this song.
cwr61589 3 years ago
In a way this is a Requiem. Very inspiring =)
Rodier1128 3 years ago
Best Recording I've heard on here. Fantastic balance. We are doing this song for State Large Group, and I am excited.
Very well done everyone.
krisdestiny 3 years ago 2
You guys sound like you had a blast playing this. I remember playing a stripped down version of this at State my freshman year, and wow did that leave out so many awesome parts. I keep going back to the horn part at 4:26 and listening to it again.
insidious 3 years ago
Omg that is so good! Love the French horns!Imperium is no where near as hard that might have been!LOL!I just started band this year and I'm already at a senior level!:D:P!at least that is what my band teacher says!:D:P
freckles737 3 years ago
i am in my school's wind ensemble and we are playing this song for contest on april 2nd , 2008 if you read this message a long time from now you will probably say hahaha she was in highschool 4 yrs ago. but ok i just wanted to see how we sounded compared to other ppl. i like how they play but sometimes they sound out of tune. however i love the way they sound so confident and their dymanic contrast. but then they rush too much
crasharockencherro 3 years ago
Very nice job. I love this song. Nice clarinets and horns.
MellophoneGirl09 3 years ago 2
omg what an amazing song
its so beautiful
i would love to play this piece
makes me cry everytime i hear it
oppositesarebff4ever 3 years ago
makes me think of my dead relatives
crasharockencherro 3 years ago
Our band recently played this piece. It was AMAZING. We were emotionally drained by this piece.
man. the tempo is too fast! It needs to be slower to have a more "touching" effect. Once again, Way too quick! This isn't one of those pieces that just "runs". U have to enjoy every second of it, which is why going slower makes it more enjoyable. This piece usually lasts around 10:30. They were 1:30 too quick.
thewest15 4 years ago
The tempo here is good. Most bands play this so that it drags, drags, and then ddrraaggs some more. Going tempo di mudstuck does not make it more moving. The 3 video replies are that way.
What's cool here is how easily this group seem to make meaningful tempo changes. There are many well-turned musical phrases here. That makes it moving. It turns the whole piece into one concise statement.
enoughbs1 4 years ago 8
our band rakes 11:30 to sing it and makes me cry but somtimes a song can bore you...
crasharockencherro 3 years ago
I like goosebumbs everytime.
j565c 4 years ago
I like goosebumbs everytime.
j565c 4 years ago
yeah it kinda makes u wanna cry its a tribute to the columbine high school masacre really scary
chris233699 4 years ago
Wow... *goosebumps*
j565c 4 years ago
i played this in the National Youth Wind Orchestra Of Wales afew years, and i love every second of it!
rachbsn 4 years ago
music programs in Texas are outright ridiculous
lostintravise 4 years ago
They are. Man, I wish I went to high school there. It's like band heaven over there.
drmbeaufort 3 years ago
to fast
randomidiot2021 4 years ago
the only part i thought that was too fast was the alma mater. the conductor could have drawn out the notes a lot more
Limabean231 4 years ago
yeah. that's the only part i thought was too fast also. [:
this is such a beautiful song
naddlesays 4 years ago
you know, it does feel just a tad rushed. but that's not the kids' fault, i think they played it beautifully.
drmbeaufort 3 years ago
Fantastic... that gave me the shivers! Best performance I've heard!
ScottishBandGeek 4 years ago 3
The French Horn part in this song is amazing. This sounds really great. You can tell this was performed greatly, at 1:22 you can hear, im guessing the person taping, crying. Amazing.
BeastModeMello 4 years ago
omg this song is absolutely amazing. our band played it a few years ago and it was awesome. i had the sax solo and listening to this is making the tears come right back to my eyes like when i played it the first time.
latertaters12188 4 years ago
Very good. I played this song in eigth grade. it brings back so many memories. I cried the first time i actually heard it (played correctly)
typewritergenes 4 years ago
wiping away tears as I write this.
Limabean231 4 years ago
Texas always has great bands :P amazing.
chlohxo 4 years ago
i love hearing this song, after playing it in a band, i actally understood the importance of the song and everytime i listen to it i get the chills
asdijfa 4 years ago
this has to be one of the best performances of this piece that I have EVER heard. Fantastic! I wish i could be in that band!
moseleych 4 years ago 3
In conclusion, putting an ensemble together and perfecting aspects besides technicality is the hardest thing to do, and you simply cannot beat this band.
Blue0ctane 4 years ago
An example: Look at Ronald Lo Presti's Elegy For A Young American. The song is technically easier than this one, but it's rated a grade 5, and almost nobody plays the song. Know why? Because it's next to impossible to make it sound great.
Blue0ctane 4 years ago
Regardless of how good you are as an individual player, your high school ensemble CANNOT play better than Langham Creek here. You guys obviously underestimate the sheer challenge it takes to perfectly balance an ensemble on a new piece and make it sound beautiful in a week, which is precisely what Langham did.
Blue0ctane 4 years ago 2
I've been tracking the comments on this video for awhile (I rewatch it a LOT). This is an open statement to people who say that they could play better:
Blue0ctane 4 years ago
This is superior playing. Clearly outstanding. Congrats to Langham. Keep up the good work!
Music321 4 years ago 2
wow that was amazing!!
i can't wait to join that band in High School!!
Langhum Creek has the best band!!
Its such a beautiful piece!!
And the flute piece sounds so beautiful, which i play the flute!!
Just one more year in middle school!! =D
Mew10202 4 years ago 2
I love hearing this band especlly this piece. im proud to be a person that is studying music and proud to be an alumni from this program
BoomJr1 4 years ago
Amazing. Well done. Tempo wise, it was ok. I dont know what everyone is complaining about. I do think they could have slowed it down where the Columbine Alma Matter is quoted. Has a little more emotion when that part is slow. Does anyone know where I can download various versions of this song?
usafpyro0914 4 years ago
This is an amazing song.. played this at Honor Band in the 8th Grade.
bandkidchs 4 years ago
Really a great piece by Ticheli
we're playing this piece this year :)
bandjoyjoy 4 years ago
you know i really do love the way you guys played it. if anyone knows of drum corps...listen to the concord blue devils version...its amazing and LOUUUUD
phantomtrumpet528 4 years ago 3
The tempo is not too fast. If you believe that Solti, Barenboim, Fennell, Eddie Green, and other great teachers/conductors of our times did not stick exactly to the tempos marked. If you don't know who those people are, then I can't see you playing "conductor" and commenting on tempo. This video is some of the finest playing I have ever heard a band do. Ever. And his interpretation is his, and that's what makes it less boring to hear the piece over and over again.
Taipos 4 years ago
This is kinda fast...We're playing it for Vet's day..and we go quite a bit slower
kraftycows 4 years ago
I played this my freshman year in highschool and it's an amazing peice...
regardless if some say it's to fast or whatever it still sounds beautiful so props. =]
r1debo 4 years ago
I played this song in high school. Before we played it at our concert, my director dedicated it in memory of two parents (of band members) who had died in the last year. since then, this song has had a special place in my heart, along side my memories of columbine.
dumbo800 4 years ago
Very well done!
JPSaxMan 4 years ago
This is the best I've ever heard a high school band play. To have pulled this off in a week is absolutely incredible. Absolutely spectacular!
marimbaman89 4 years ago 5
I absolutly love this song. Thanks for posting nd the rubato section is way too fast!
rugbyplayer9999 4 years ago
The tempo is fine. See all of the previous comments.
bandjock1 4 years ago
TOO FAST!!!!!!!!!
BandNazi 4 years ago
amen to that
rugbyplayer9999 4 years ago
¿Dónde está el fuego?
h0axbu5t0r 4 years ago
My band played this for festival when i was a freshman... it was amazing
Awesome job.
It really does sound flawless.
I remember getting chills everytime we sat down to play it.
ashleyhenson4350 4 years ago
was it cold?
h0axbu5t0r 4 years ago
i'm not sure if you were being sarcastic.
but by chills he means when you hear something that you think is so amazing you get all cold and can feel it running down your back and arms.
and goosebumps are common
Limabean231 4 years ago
Colombine should always be remembered and honored. Thank you.
coolfreakpaisd 4 years ago
Whoa! Can't believe this is high school. Intonation, tone are excellent. Not to mention amazing phrasing. Wish video was better.
Ticheli did very well in making a technically simple piece very musical. Though ranges are easy for all instruments and no one is technically challenged, there is so much music here. And this group seems to get it all out. WWs @ 5:00 have incredible finesse. Excellent trumpet solo. Tremendous oboe and bassoon. Everything is wonderful. Great job Langham!
PearlsBeforeSwine1 4 years ago 3
this was played very fast
sailorlitakino 4 years ago
It's the best tempoe I've heard it played at.
Blue0ctane 4 years ago
tempo*
Blue0ctane 4 years ago
This piece always gives me chills listening to it. When that trumpet solo is pulled off amazingly, that is when you know that you have something in an ensemble.
1337evan 4 years ago
I love how they split the trumpet solo it sounds amazing
Dontforgettobreathe 4 years ago
This is really good! A bit too fast for my tasting. But overall, job well done!! I encourage you to watch Dr. Ticheli conduct this gorgeous piece with the Orange County Honor Band. It is simply magical =)
OrlandoKings 4 years ago
from tornadonow...I wanted to finish my posting with this, but it wouldn't let me write more than 4 of them :-)
I would rather listen to a performance that has variation to others like this one, and LISTEN TO PEOPLE PLAY TRULY EMOTIONALLY RATHER THAN FAKE IT ON A STUDIO RECORDING! BRAVO TO THE LANGHAM CREEK SYMPHONIC BAND for making "An American Elegy" come alive with SUPERIOR MUSICIANSHIP!!!!!
bstuts7914 4 years ago
I have atleast 7 different recordings of this Elegy...my favorite being the Lassiter HS Band with the Columbine HS conductor conducting. It is emotionally amazing, regardless of minor issues that occur in live performance. Some people need the perfect studio recordings to be satisfied...
tornadonow 4 years ago
Enjoy music for the feeling it gives you, and the unique element that every performance will be different! I am a concert band nerd, I have ATLEAST 15 recordings of my favorite pieces. WHY!? Because they are all not like the University of North Texas plays it. You get something extra or different out of all of them.
tornadonow 4 years ago
Taravella played a stunning version of Holst's Hammersmith and Schwantner's In Evening's Stillness. I have heard Langham Creek do a terrific rendition of Pershichetti's Symphony 6, Strauss's Don Juan (a transcirption by Merlin Patterson I had never heard!), and Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry
tornadonow 4 years ago
I cannot believe how closed minded people are with interpretation, and saying "My school is better than yours!" I have heard both the Langham Creek Symphonic Band (Recently at the Midwest Clinic) as well as the JP Taravella Wind Orchestra (BOA 2004). Both are TOP NOTCH ENSEMBLES!
tornadonow 4 years ago
All you people keep saying well for TMEA, for college, for spring contest we played this so much slower, but there is one key difference between all of those performances and Langham's. I was in this 5A state honor band and we were given this piece less than a week before this concert instead of months. It was a spur of the moment dedication to the students fallen at VT, and no one can take away our sympathy for the families that lost loved ones in that tragedy.
LCbaseball218 4 years ago
I have to agree that the tempo is a bit too fast. I understand that the conductor is trying to give it life, but I can't enjoy this piece with it going so fast. My honor band played this my freshman year and got major kudos from all the judges at UIL...one even stated that it was the best performance of American Elegy that he had heard. I'm not saying that this band isn't great, I mean come on, they are the State Ensemble, but I think the director went a fast tempo for a piece like this.
jellyrags07 4 years ago
Yeah this piece is just beautiful... It gives me chills just hearing it. Especially a well played offstage trumpet solo. Its just a genius piece of work for a good cause. Frank Ticheli is just a genius. Whoever plays this piece is just an amazing, accomplished band. To mock whoever plays this is just wrong.
1337evan 4 years ago
I'm told they only rehearsed this for about a week. It was to honor the victims at VA Tech. The incident was on April 16 and this was performed May 10. Langham also had their spring contest in between those dates.
bstuts7914 4 years ago
the tempo is just fine....and besides ticheli took this around the same tempo at TMEA in 2002, if not faster...please dont criticize...music is interpretation, no piece is ever performed the exact same every time...it wouldnt be music....study conducting and you'll find that out...flawless performance langam creek
bandmaster77088 4 years ago 2
Beautiful. I wish my wind ensemble wouldve done this piece... we did symphonic movement though and we definitely by far had the Horns to do it this year. But yeah dont criticize other bands. They played it beautifully. Whoever plays this piece is definitely an OUTSTANDING band. It takes a lot to play this. And criticizing the band who plays it is like spitting on the graves of everyone killed in a school shooting...
1337evan 4 years ago
Tempo is to fast. I played it in high school and college. I've heard high school and college bands play it. None went this fast. In fact in