Video & Multimedia
Related: About this forumFLASH MOB: The U.S. Air Force Band at the Smithsonian —GORGEOUS - ’tis the Season
From a single Cello swelling to 120 Musicians.
Enjoy. And wishing you all a very Merry Holiday Season.
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riversedge
(70,299 posts)--all with happy faces. whow.
thank you so much for video .
misterhighwasted
(9,148 posts)elleng
(131,102 posts)Thank you, Mira!
djean111
(14,255 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Thanks for posting!
starroute
(12,977 posts)Well, only the second verse because the first was too sectarian. But I still have a deep emotional response to it. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.
On edit: Though I could have done without the segue into Joy to the World, which is pretty standard-issue Christmas music.
Historic NY
(37,453 posts)madashelltoo
(1,699 posts)Why can't we live as beautifully harmonious as this orchestra played? Why?
The Blue Flower
(5,444 posts)I love the music, too, but my first thought was of the disagreeable proselytizing of the Air Force Academy. My second was of my USMC ex-husband who was on recruiting duty during Vietnam and his stories of the phony things the other recruiters would promise to get kids to sign up, like, "Sure you can be on the Marine Corps swim team!" when there was no such thing. I was wondering if the guy playing the harp actually told them he wanted to play the harp for the Air Force, and what kind of response that would have gotten back then.
sarge43
(28,945 posts)The SMSgt playing the harp is a professional musician and was so before he enlisted. Only qualified musicians are assigned to the Band and they go through a rigorous audition before they enlist. Back then? The same response he got 20 plus years ago. If you qualify, sure can.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)As an ex-tuba artist and Air Force veteran, I share your unease. I'm ashamed of what the USAF has become. The religious push at the Academy (and elsewhere) has galled this atheist for decades! That's the Air Force me talking.
The tuba me says music is great - even Xmas music. In an era where various symphonies are struggling to survive, there might be a certain attractiveness to being able to do what you're passionate about an not have to worry about a regular paycheck and health care. I would've LOVED to have been in a service band when I signed up in '63. But although I was as melodically capable as any tuba player I was aware of, I couldn't read music. I ended up being an aircraft electrician - with technical skills that served me thru my whole working life.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)So glad you posted this. I am eating dinner and nodding along with the music.
Rec....
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)irisblue
(33,023 posts)worth keeping in this universe.
appalachiablue
(41,171 posts)The SI Air and Space Museum is a perfect setting for US Air Force band events.
sheshe2
(83,898 posts)Thank you Mira~
PotatoChip
(3,186 posts)Thanks to the acoustics of a place so cavernous, I bet it sounded even more amazing for the people there.
What a treat for them, and us!