Masterfull, beautiful, flawless. These are the words that came to mind when I played this song for the first time. I feel truely honored to have been able to play the trumpet solo in this masterpiece. This song contains everything America mourns for, and what tragedy is, yet inspires hope in the heart of all who listen. I think that the opening, the soaring horn line, the reminiscient clarinet line, and the mournfull oboe solo are key components, and then, the modulation before the 3 part cannon with the trumpets soaring atop the whole ensemble. I loved this song, and everytime I played the solo in our concerts and at state I almost cried, my trumpet became a speaker, mourning the losses. I think how The high school`s ala mater is put in the song is truely amazing. I dont think I will ever play a song again that has touched me so deeply. My name is Cameron and I am a senior first chair trumpet player in Spokane, Washington. If you loved this piece and the trumpet as much as I do, feel free to email me to discuss other pieces-jazz as well.

Hi, i`m a sophmore at EAHS and i play the flute. We just started playing American Elegy a couple of weeks ago and it is amazing... at 137 i get goosebumps ever time. Last time the band played it everyone was in tears. I love this song. What else r u playing for ur next concert

I am in 10th grade and we are playing An American Elegy now. I like the song. It is long but has a lot of meaning. I really like it.


Chelly

I`m a freshman of the Pflugerville High School Band in Texas. I`m the 2nd chair clarinet in Honor Band and we`re playing this for our UiL contest. I`m REALLY excited to master this piece with my band. This along with Pineapple Pole and a march is gonna put on an amazing concert. I`m listening to a downloaded recording while writing this and it is absolutely amazing. I even did research on the Columbine High School shootings and while relating the story to what i`m hearing truly brings out the tragicness of that day. God bless those who lost their lives that day...

American elegy was the best piece I have ever played

I love this song. we`re playing it now & columbine was so close to home. I love the emotion!

Hi im a junior at Pflugerville High School (the p is silent). I live in Texas and im playing American Elegy right now. Out of all my years of playing American Elegy is the best song i have ever had the privalige to play. My band director is a super genious about music and the only reason he isnt teaching at a collage is because he likes teenagers better. When he is telling us to how to play the song with emothion he describes the images he sees and that the people that hear it should see that too. I was wondering if anyone knew of a video that was made with this song playing. It would be so cool to be able to put my directors visions on a screen. By the way I am 1st chair french horn. I stumbled on this site by accendent and im really glad i did. If anyone finds a video please e-mail me and tell me where it is or just e-mial it to me. Thank you alot!

I came across this thread by accident on Google, and I just had to check it out. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is "would have." You see, I wanted to be in my provincial honour band (yes I am Canadian), but I missed the deadline. That didn`t dampen my enthusiasm, though. A few of my friends were in the honour band, and I went to their final concert.

When they played this piece, I was absolutely taken. It is without a doubt the most beautiful concert band piece I have ever heard. I almost started crying by the end. It made me wish more and more that I had gotten my act together and auditioned for honour band...

Oh well. I guess there`s always next year.

I also send my condolences to the students who were attending Columbine High School on that tragic April day in 1999. Us Canadians care, too, and you will always be in our hearts.

Thomas

Yeah i write back a lot to this article because it is very importan to me because so may people have the sam efeeling and emotion for this piece as i do. I think that anybody whom hears or has the honor to play this piece will be taken away by the beauty. ANd yes it is very simple but i feel if it had any more parts to it, it would take away from the true meaning of the piece. Does anyone else feel the same?

yes! it is simple, yet elegant...

Go to:

http://members.aol.com/mbmband/html/an_american_elegy.html

There is a free downloadable mp3 recording of An American Elegy on that site if anyone is interested!

It sounds great, too!

I am in college now, but I played An American Elegy 3 times before, all 3 times as the principle hornist. It is simply an amazing and powerful piece. I get very very into it when I play, and the offstage trumpet solo, if done right, makes me get chills. I am studying to be a high school music teacher, and when I get a job my band is with out a doubt playing this moving piece.

American Elegy is probably the most beautiful piece I have ever played. I`ve played it 3 times, with two different groups and I got the chance to play both trumpet and french horn, although, being a trumpet player, I know I didn`t do the beautiful french horn part justice... I hadn`t listened to this song in quite a while, but I went to the provincial honour band concert this weekend at the UofR (thats in Canada...)and remembered how much I love it. I also wish I`d auditioned for honour band this year lol just so I could have played it again.

I just had to say again how much I truely love this piece
Rarely has a work revealed itself to me with such powerful speed and clarity.
The work begins at the bottom of the ensemble`s register, and ascends gradually to a heartfelt cry of hope. The main theme that follows, stated by the horns, reveals a more lyrical, serene side of the piece. A second theme, based on a simple repeated harmonic pattern, suggests yet another, more poignant mood. These three moods - hope, serenity, and sadness - become intertwined throughout the work, defining its complex expressive character. A four-part canon builds to a climactic quotation of the Columbine Alma Mater. The music recedes, and an offstage trumpeter is heard, suggesting a celestial voice - a heavenly message. The full ensemble returns with a final, exalted statement of the main theme.

Hi, I`m a sophomore at West Brook High school in Texas. I`m also in the top band, playing 3rd clarinet, nothing great. We`re playing An American Elegy this year for contest and it`s awesome. I love everything about it. It`s also really cool that a bunch of other people have the same respect for it as I do.

I also give out all my heart to those who were affected in the Columbine tragedy.
(Played and composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999,and to honor the survivors).