Re: Forest High School Band
Back around 1973 or maybe 1974, we played a concert piece called "American Civil War Fantasy". Was just over 8 minutes long and we drew standing ovations everywhere we played it. It was by far my favorite song while a member of the Forest High School Band. At about the 6:40 mark into the song, there was an explosion simulating a cannon being fired and beginning the war. Up to that point, through music, the song directed the listener through the times and turmoil of both sides leading up to the War Between the States. That explosion (by a kettle drum originally) was important to signal the beginning of the conflict where "brother fought brother" on the battlefield. At the time, we had a young lady that was in charge of hitting the drum head so hard to simulate that explosion but could never quite get the loudness nor the feeling in the audience that something of significance just happened. Well, the idea was brought up about "Why doesn't someone back stage out of sight fire a shotgun into a 55 gallon drum to get the effect needed?" Yes, I remember all the names of the people involved that pulled this off and boy was it something to make you jump out of your seat if you were sitting in the audience. It still gives me goosebumps listening to the song as I have scenes from Gone With The Wind flashing through my closed eyes as I listen. A very powerful song and I was honored to have been part of that band that pulled it off. The trombones in 3 part harmony were some of the most beautiful sounds I ever heard. LAR, any insight from your memories? In case you want to hear it, this is the University of Michigan performing it .... but in my opinion, our Forest High school band did it better!
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Message Thread
- Forest High School Band - Mark Welsh November 10, 2021, 3:10 am
- Re: Forest High School Band - Mark Welsh February 4, 2022, 3:24 am
- Re: Forest High School Band - Mark Welsh December 22, 2021, 4:22 am
- Re: Forest High School Band - LAR November 14, 2021, 10:09 pm
- Re: Forest High School Band - Steve70 November 11, 2021, 7:38 am
- Re: Forest High School Band - Kaye ‘63 November 10, 2021, 7:26 pm
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