The Bloody-Eulogy Symphonic Suite
Just kidding. Three topics to choose from:
ORCHESTRA
In my orchestra, all throughout the year, the violins always have had a special place in there. Firstly, because of the population of violins, which out numbers cellos, violas, and bass, 3:1. Secondly, because of it's nature; it's been known to deliver the melody line, first violins, and the sweet accompany of harmony, the second violins. When I first started out as a violist, I was a second. Year after year, I would always have to play the same rest-note-rest-note pattern; it was boring beyond belief.
But there was one year, I think 8th grade, when I tried out for first violin, and made it. Oh how I was joyed to be released from the bondage of boredom and sheer hatred. I actually knew how it felt to play the melody of different songs, and I never looked back as some of my friends were stuck as seconds.
For our last song this year, however, Mr. Ferntheil has decided to play The Harry Potter Symphonic Suite and The Wizard of Oz. Wow, I thought, we're playing a piece where the audience will actually recognize our songs.
You have no idea how much I hate both of our songs. I can't explain to you how much it's an irrelevant part in comparison to the band. Although, there was this part in Harry Potter where we got the melody for 3 measures--and then it was back to the old useless and boring accompaniment. I've heard the sound track, and it's nothing like this one. Strings actually have some melody, and there's a perfect balance between both the band and orchestra; so harmonically in tune, but we're not playing that. We're playing the "arranged" version by persons unknown. Damn those people.
A TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL PATRICK TILLMAN
We've seen acts of bravery and courage all throughtout wars, past and present. But America, sometimes, forgets or does not know about the underbelly line of heroes. I am here to tell you about one extraordinary man named Patrick Tillman, Corporal. He and his platoon were ambushed April 22, 2004. As his troop was taking fire, the Corporal jumped out of the military combat unit, and "moved into position to supress enemy fire." 1
Supposedly, Tillman was killed by friendly fire. There is still, however, an investigation taking place. But whether he was killed by Iraqis, or by his own men, his efforts shall not be forgotten; at least not by me. That's the minimum of what I, no, America, owes him. He died fighting for freedom, and I can say that not many people do.
BLOODY BALTIMORE
We live in tough times. Very tough times. It's one thing when there's inhumanity being born of war, but something else when it's reincarnated in this country. The city of Baltimore, however, has gotten accustomed to murder. The Washingtonpost says:
"...Baltimore has one of the nation's highest violent crime and homicide rates. Three years ago, three homeless men were stomped to death on city streets by a pair of teenagers and another young man. Two years ago, seven members of one family died when their home was firebombed after they complained to police that drug dealers were in control of their east Baltimore neighborhood. And two weeks ago, twin infants were found beaten to death, allegedly by their parents, in the trash-strewn basement where they lived." 2
And there's more. Just recently 3 children died; Lucero Quezada, 8, Ricardo Espinoza, 9, and Alexis Espejo, 10. It wasn't strangers that caused their demise; family members did. Adan Espinoza Canela, 17, and Policarpio Espinoza, 22, are suspects held by authorities.
So far, there are no motives; they've only found a large knife and a club. But get this; they found one child decapitated, decapitated, and the two others, "bludgeoned and slashed to death." 3
There were reasons for the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib, however weak they were. There were reasons for U.S. soldiers to die in Iraq. There were even reasons to kill Nick Berg. But for innocent children of Baltimore to lay decapitated and beaten to death; there is absolutely no reason. The murderers are without excuse.
WORK CITED
- 1 Rueters. URL: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=...
- 2-3 The Washington Post. URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64...
13 Comments:
well, since you split your entry into three sections, so will I.
1. orchestra is B O R I N G ! ! Even the PYSO version of Harry Potter kicked some major ass. If you wanna hear something similar to the soundtrack, listen to the PYSO version! The one the school orchestra is playing, the band has all the melody, and they cant even play it! Mr. Fernthile was yelling at them through most of the rehearsal!
2. Who? I'm sure there are many people to honor in the war.
3. WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS OMG JEEZ. First I see the "eating fetuses" crap, and then Nick Berg, and now this! If I EVER find any pictures of beheaded children, I'm gonna go crazy. How can people actually have the heart to do thoses kinds of things? Last year at Oak, when everyone had knives and stuff like that, it was soley to show off "hey man dont mess with me i'll shank you." As if they are some Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist. I never got one because I would never actually have the guts to use one. But with such events as having a person's own FAMILY beat each other to death . . . *shudders*
Insane_DREAMER
This is Matt, i read the whole thing but i'm only going to talk about the orchestra part. You said that u played as a second violist when u started, that doesn't make sense, or do u mean a second violinist. But yeah, a first violinist does get most of the melody in almost every song, i know how u feel when u were a second. When I first started violin in orchestra, I was in seconds also, I felt stupid playing the easy accompaniment. I have to tellu Kevin, seconds are important also, an orchestra missing the second violins wouldn't sound as rich. All the parts, technically speaking, are equally important. This year Ferntheil made us play the two symphonic pieces that are extremely difficult, the reason is that I don't think he know the difficult of playing a string instrument. I think that he's thinking of the notes in terms of the notes in piano. I mean there are notes that we don't even recognize in that music, especially in the first. I have a lot more to say, but i'm tired now, so this is it for now,lol.
It's the sad truth. And yeah, Mr. ferntheil was yelling at the band; that was pretty funny. But then he cried I think when the bells guy did a good job. And Jean, or however you spell her name, was crazy!
Beautiful solo.
Matt,
Yeah, we need the seconds, I admit that, just as long as i'm a first. Haha. I'm tired too, but tomorrows sunday, which is actually a saturday because of monday, so yeah.
hello this is peter. i dont want to take the time to sign in so i will post anonomously. yeah harry potter and wizard of oz does suck. i really didn't like the pieces that mr ferntheil picked this year. i use to really enjoy orchestra when mr meyer conducted and i would look forward to each and everyone of my performances. for instance the one where we went and played at this church in the morning while these teachers ate breakfast. we performed When Summer Ends and i really liked the songs. now mr ferntheil has sucked all the fun out of orchestra and im not even committed to practicing anymore.
about the war: im thankful for the soldiers that are fighting right now. sometimes movies and tv shows make war seem exciting and fun but its not. bullets whizzing over your head is probably the worst situation to be in, in addition to even trying to fire your gun. thanks to all the soldiers that are fighting right now: just being there helps a lot. i have a guy at my church named Brandon that just went to IRaq last week. It would be cool if you guys could pray that he comes back safely.
Dude, that's amazing. So much bravery. If i had the choice to go to Iraq, I wouldn't. I'm way to scared. I'll keep Brandon in mind at our daily prayers, and i'll tell Eric and John about him.
Ah, the sweet days of Mr. Meyer as our instructor. It's all gone down the drain. Remember Ashoken Fairwell?
'Allo Kevin, this is Andrew.
1. Orchestra is a waste of my time. I love viola and I love music. However, Mr. Ferntheil has this amazing ability to pick the most cliche' (don't know how to do the whole, "e" with the..dash thing) music in the world. Also, a lot of our songs are fairly similar. Honestly, he's not that bad of a guy. Sometimes, he's fairly nice. Strict, but decent. He just doesn't care about orchestra.
2. The war is a very sad situation. In this day and age, the world is a very curious place. I second your motion to pay a tribute to soldiers, and I would like to voice my thought that while I do not support the war, I support the soldiers 100 percent.
3. I heard about the beheading. To kill a child is a sick and cowardly act, and when I hear about crimes such as these, I am ashamed to be one of the same species. Another thing I cannot tolerate is rape, which is why I am so strongly agaist people who desensitize the word by using it in a childish and almost "funny" context. It is not war that is killing people, but themselves.
Andrew,
I'm getting you a blog.
Here it is everyone: Andrew's new Blog!
Ben,
YOU RAN INTO ME WITH YOUR FREAKING BALLOON. YOU BACKSTABBED YOURSELF.
Anyways, I think the city you were in was pretty equal to Baltimore.
cheese tacos.
Eric,
Removed her Fetus??!!? Dude, that's horrible. That's almost like abortion, except to the extreme I guess. You should have shared that story to gain compassion from the class in the debates!
Okay, this is pointless saying, but to your comment on the web design thing: You fixed it for me an hour ago!
Okay.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
okay this is pointless but I commented an hour before I fixed it!!!
my grandpa has lots of stories.
He sailed to Pearl Harbor the day after the attacks and said that the movie that portrayed it a few years ago was not even close in capturing the horror.
Even today, he sleeps with his eyes open, because that's what the military taught him cause an attack can happen anytime.
One time he didn't open his eyes, and he awoke to the sound of gunshots and everyone around him was dead. People who were 18 who gave up their hopes and dreams. People who were like you and me.
Thats why memorial day is important.
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