Post #903
7/5/01 4:34:51 PM
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"..the bombs bursting in air:
F. Scott Key knew what gave us a rush!
And thus why too, the 1812 Overture is so popular - esp. when they drag in real cannons. I suspect that the ultimate Celebration! in Murica might be (religion and politics and marketing + er our nature) combined:
Pick Biggest Mall (actually our National Cathedral to the God of the $, and we Worship Growth too - it's even our Biggest disease: cancer).
Assemble the NY Philharmonic and the Philadelphia O. playing 1812 Overture - followed by a 10%-off! sale and free carwash for all the UAVs (with free balloons as they wait in the gas lines) - a '74 remembrance 'celebration' wherein only 5 gallons may be purchased.
Finally - special 2/$1 triple Big-Burgers with extra bacon and cheese - but just for the children! (free samples and all... but just til their eating habits are er, nicely formed). Don't forget the free MadeinChina plastic toys dispensed by Mickey Rat in costume!
See? We can do better.. than just July 4 !!
Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle.. Cackle..
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Post #906
7/5/01 4:54:33 PM
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The other connection...
...is that Key stole the tune to a drinking song. So perhaps, explosives and alcohol are more American than even Apple Pie. :-)
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Post #910
7/5/01 5:48:05 PM
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Ooooo, 1812 Overture...
During my lone year as a member of the real Longhorn Band (alto sax), for the week that we did our show with the Longhorn Alumni Band, we played the 1812 Overture. During practice week, we had the campus Army ROTC bring out a Howitzer to the stadium for practice. The plan was to have them fire the Howitzer during halftime with (as it turned out) 999 instruments on the field, and 78.009 (capcity for Memorial Stadium at the time -- it's since been expanded) people in the stadium. Unfortunately, the Austin Fire Marshal as well as the stadium officers were worried that the glass along the press boxes and the really expen$ive $eat$ wouldn't withstand all those Howitzer blasts in the stadium.
Not to mention that the poor piccolos on the side of the field closest to the Howitzer themselves would likely have been hard of hearing after that. ;-)
-YendorMike, who knows how to tune two piccolos.
Shoot one.
In order to understand recursion, one must understand recursion.
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Post #918
7/5/01 6:07:42 PM
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Err... QED?_________________(ducts er, ducks!)
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Post #934
7/5/01 6:51:58 PM
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Re: Ooooo, 1812 Overture...
If you're in Victoria in early August I highly recommend attending the [link|http://www.victorialodging.com/victoria/symphony_splash.htm|Symphony Splash] concert. Canons, carillon bells and fireworks... Wheeee... I've attended a couple of times. Truly an outstanding experience. Oh, and the cautions about the glass are right on the mark. It's very impressive when the canons are firing on one side of the harbour and the windows on the other side are doing a fandango....
Have fun,
Carl Forde
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Post #935
7/5/01 7:09:59 PM
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Wow, cool
That looks like TONS of fun. I'm going to have to check that out some year. Not this year, but maybe sometime in the future.
My friends in Seattle have been notified. :)
-YendorMike
In order to understand recursion, one must understand recursion.
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Post #956
7/6/01 2:50:37 AM
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Glad they rescued your hearing
And there are few experiences as unforgettable as playing in a marching (or sitting!) band - especially for.. long enough to experience the possibilities. Solos gratify the ego while teaching humility ;-) We cornet players Know..
Making music ever beats watching, though watching, listening is what most of us have to do unless - we are among the virtuosos! (But.. they also listen a lot)
Lucky you..
Ashton
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Post #1,020
7/6/01 3:51:18 PM
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Re: Glad they rescued your hearing
And there are few experiences as unforgettable as playing in a marching (or sitting!) band Aye. No argument here. Some of my fondest memories deal with band, either HS or college. Too much time spent together; too many bonding experiences shared. We cornet players Know.. No comment.... ;-) Making music ever beats watching, though watching, listening is what most of us have to do unless - we are among the virtuosos! (But.. they also listen a lot)
That's about all I do anymore, except for the one day every couple years that I make the pilgrimage back to Austin to take part in the Longhorn Alumni Band game.
-YendorMike
In order to understand recursion, one must understand recursion.
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Post #1,021
7/6/01 3:53:03 PM
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This one time, in band camp....
----- Steve
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Post #1,031
7/6/01 7:34:19 PM
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Heh...
You may laugh, but I have some fond memories of band camp. Nothing to do with flutes and cats, however. ;-)
-YendorMike
In order to understand recursion, one must understand recursion.
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Post #1,063
7/7/01 2:32:55 PM
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It's just that..
..ever since I saw that movie, and spewed coke out my nose laughing at that line, I haven't been able to NOT think about it when a conversation turns to band :-)
On another note (pun most definitely intended), my sister was in band from elementary school through college, and currently is 2nd chair Clarinet in the Denver Concert Band. Many times I was called on to help out with the driving, band booster activities, chaperoning, etc. It was fun.
Me? I play guitar, not really conducive to a marching band :)
----- Steve
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Post #1,065
7/7/01 4:16:02 PM
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There's always a mariachi band! :)
Alex
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Post #941
7/5/01 9:11:03 PM
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Actually the Canadians have the biggest mall
The Edmonton Mall is biggest. The biggest in the US is in the Mall of America in Minnesota.
I can't believe that a guy who hates shopping as much as I do would actually know that, but there you have it.
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Post #953
7/6/01 2:27:25 AM
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on my honeymoon...
My wife and I were married in Bannf. On the way to visit my grandparents in Swift Current we spent a night in the hotel in the West Edmonton Mall. I was shocked to learn that there are many people who spend their vacations at the mall.
Have fun,
Carl Forde
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