In 1981, I was teaching high school music in Prince George's County, MD. We were working on this piece when one of my students, a beautiful young bassoon player, was killed by a drunk driver. We delayed our winter concert until January in deference to the family, who attended the concert where we played this Elegy. At the students' insistence, we placed her bassoon on an empty chair. It was (tragically) the most beautiful performance the band ever gave.
We played this when I was in high school, over 30 years ago (I played French Horn). It's one of the only symphonic band songs that I can remember by name. It's one of the only songs that ever brought tears to my eyes while playing. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It's so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
I played this as a sophomore in symphonic band...13 years ago...(I play flute and piccolo) I still to this day remember crying at our final concert..the dimension of the horn and woodwind sections building behind me as we played will always stay with me..such a beautiful piece.
I had the privilege of being a student in Ronald Lo Presti's "Integrated Musicicianship" class at Arizona State University from 1968 to 1970. He told us how he came to write the piece, and I've always carried that story and emotional response to it with me whenever I've heard it played, or whenever I've conducted it. Like JFK, Lo Presti died much too young.
I was a student of Ronald LoPresti's too, a few years later ('74-78) in Integrated Musicianship, Counterpoint 1 and 2, and about six semesters of Composition. He was my most influential and inspiring college teacher.
After COVID-19, I finally get to play with my new wind ensemble. I was so glad to hear that this piece was going to be one of our sight reading exercises. I haven’t played with an ensemble in almost two years. I can not wait for this to be over.
I'm playing this song in my high school symphonic band and I gotta say I really love it especially that I'll be playing the trombone solo in this piece
Never had heard of this piece let alone heard it performed until about a week ago, was totally caught off guard. Loved it, I think the piece perfectly captures the subject matter in a beautiful, sorrowful, emotional way. And of course being performed by this excellent ensemble, makes that even more so apparent. Definitely will be giving this some listens. Fantastic job as always!
My high school band performed this last year, and it was such a moving piece to be able to perform. Listening to this performance brings lots of emotions. Excellent job as always!
I just wanted to say thank you for recording this master piece for a work. I have heard the marine band play this piece about 10 times now, and it still makes me tear up. You have done an amazing performance and i greatly appreciate the marines playing what I consider the best piece of music composed.
beautiful. The Oklahoma Youth Wind ensamble performed this peice in 2012. I played the contra alto clarinet. i now play B flat clarinet for the OYW I auditioned and got solo clarinet. We also played "the corcoran cadets march" by John Phillip Sousa. I would love to hear the U.S. Marine Band perform this. it would basically complete my life. love this band.
United States Marine Band I was wondering if this would be a good song to play at a friend off mines funeral. His dad died last night in the hospital because of a stroke. And i needed to know if this piece would be appropriate to play at a funeral. Thanks, Hollis Ltay.
My high school is playing this right now and we will actually be taking it to state festival! very cool and intriguing piece! Plus I love history so I was the only person who knew it was written for JFK. Such a great experience to play.
My band director told the band that this piece was about JFK’s assassination and I didn’t even know that. After knowing that, I get goosebumps every time I play this. I play trombone 2 and it’s good playing it. My favorite part is the low g and it gives me literal chills when I played it full volume with the rest of the low brass.
Just a comment about the uniforms..I think the women would look much better wearing the same trousers as the men. Those skirts look so corny and " old fashioned ".
Wow! An amazingly stagnant performance. Not an ounce of emotion or feeling to be found from any one within sight of the baton. What a waste of great musicians.
In 1981, I was teaching high school music in Prince George's County, MD. We were working on this piece when one of my students, a beautiful young bassoon player, was killed by a drunk driver. We delayed our winter concert until January in deference to the family, who attended the concert where we played this Elegy. At the students' insistence, we placed her bassoon on an empty chair. It was (tragically) the most beautiful performance the band ever gave.
But, Micheal, it was one of the classiest things I have heard of being done. A wonderful tribute.
Ok boomer
@@AidanHeil Why must you be so snarky? I AM a proud “boomer”!
@@luv2bik Tell ‘em!
Such a beautiful story
We played this when I was in high school, over 30 years ago (I played French Horn). It's one of the only symphonic band songs that I can remember by name. It's one of the only songs that ever brought tears to my eyes while playing. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It's so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful memory Barbara - thanks for sharing!
I played this as a sophomore in symphonic band...13 years ago...(I play flute and piccolo) I still to this day remember crying at our final concert..the dimension of the horn and woodwind sections building behind me as we played will always stay with me..such a beautiful piece.
Barbee Ingram i’m a sophomore flute in symphonic band playing this right now :) we just got the music today
that means you played it well. Nobody has yet cried in my wind ensemble's performance of it, although one judge did say he got chills down his back.
I'm playing this my sophomore year in concert band and when we first learned the meaning behind the piece it made a lot of us cry .
Lo Presti is such an underrated composer. Most unfortunate given the quality of this inspired piece.
if you look it up on google it says William Bertz composed it
I'm playing this at Carnegie Hall in February. It's such a powerful and moving piece.
Good luck!
The band played this at the Fall Concert at my college today... it gave me chills and I had to hear it again. Beautifully chilling.
Fantastic trombone section
I'm in a High school band and we're playing this piece in two concerts.. Such an amazing piece, by far one of my most favorites
I had the privilege of being a student in Ronald Lo Presti's "Integrated Musicicianship" class at Arizona State University from 1968 to 1970. He told us how he came to write the piece, and I've always carried that story and emotional response to it with me whenever I've heard it played, or whenever I've conducted it. Like JFK, Lo Presti died much too young.
I was a student of Ronald LoPresti's too, a few years later ('74-78) in Integrated Musicianship, Counterpoint 1 and 2, and about six semesters of Composition. He was my most influential and inspiring college teacher.
After COVID-19, I finally get to play with my new wind ensemble. I was so glad to hear that this piece was going to be one of our sight reading exercises. I haven’t played with an ensemble in almost two years. I can not wait for this to be over.
I'm playing this song in my high school symphonic band and I gotta say I really love it especially that I'll be playing the trombone solo in this piece
Never had heard of this piece let alone heard it performed until about a week ago, was totally caught off guard. Loved it, I think the piece perfectly captures the subject matter in a beautiful, sorrowful, emotional way. And of course being performed by this excellent ensemble, makes that even more so apparent. Definitely will be giving this some listens. Fantastic job as always!
My high school band performed this last year, and it was such a moving piece to be able to perform. Listening to this performance brings lots of emotions. Excellent job as always!
That must have been moving for your students and the audience. Thanks for sharing MaryJane.
I just wanted to say thank you for recording this master piece for a work. I have heard the marine band play this piece about 10 times now, and it still makes me tear up. You have done an amazing performance and i greatly appreciate the marines playing what I consider the best piece of music composed.
A beautiful piece dedicated to a national tragedy and a great President.
I’m playing this piece as a junior in highschool, so much emotion.
What a Striking Piece of Music, and this is the Prefect Band for this Piece.
@2:29 the clarinet in circular breathing!
beautiful. The Oklahoma Youth Wind ensamble performed this peice in 2012. I played the contra alto clarinet. i now play B flat clarinet for the OYW I auditioned and got solo clarinet. We also played "the corcoran cadets march" by John Phillip Sousa. I would love to hear the U.S. Marine Band perform this. it would basically complete my life. love this band.
Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully we'll see you next time we perform this! Keep an eye on our schedule for programs.
United States Marine Band I was wondering if this would be a good song to play at a friend off mines funeral. His dad died last night in the hospital because of a stroke. And i needed to know if this piece would be appropriate to play at a funeral.
Thanks,
Hollis Ltay.
Hollis Ltay This is NOT a song. It's an instrumental work.
jslasher1 You're sort of being a jerk.
Too bad you are unable to accept criticism.
My high school is playing this right now and we will actually be taking it to state festival! very cool and intriguing piece! Plus I love history so I was the only person who knew it was written for JFK. Such a great experience to play.
I met this man in San Antonio! Forever live The President's Own!
We played this piece at Concert Fesitval. I love this piece.
i played this piece when i was in 8th grade and i remember the emotion running through my body
My band director told the band that this piece was about JFK’s assassination and I didn’t even know that. After knowing that, I get goosebumps every time I play this. I play trombone 2 and it’s good playing it. My favorite part is the low g and it gives me literal chills when I played it full volume with the rest of the low brass.
All Texas Band Directors SALUTE YOU sir!
Beautiful performance!
This piece is astounding
Great higher level learning tool for tuning chords.
Absolutamente incrível.
i’m playing this as a freshman in high school im first flute and it’s scary
4:55
We sight read this today
MBT 2007 THURSDAY HANDOUT 2007 MIDWEST CLINIC ELEGY FOR A YOUNG AMERICAN: something you can understand.
5:23 Gates!
More difficult to conduct than appears.
Just a comment about the uniforms..I think the women would look much better wearing the same trousers as the men. Those skirts look so corny and " old fashioned ".
Wow! An amazingly stagnant performance. Not an ounce of emotion or feeling to be found from any one within sight of the baton. What a waste of great musicians.
km4034 look at 3:51, the trombone player wiping away a tear.
ight, you make it into the president's own then