Posted on 05/13/2007 12:39:22 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Bush Playfully Conducts Orchestra in Va. May 13 03:19 PM US/Eastern By SONJA BARISIC Associated Press Writer JAMESTOWN, Va. (AP) - JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should—concentrating on the orchestra in front of her. No wonder it took her a few seconds on Sunday to realize someone behind her was motioning for a try. President Bush.
"Smiling at me kind of devilishly," Falletta said.
She gave him her baton and stepped aside.
Gesturing exuberantly, the president led the orchestra during part of its performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him to know the score so well," Falletta said afterward. "He was not shy about conducting at all. He conducted with a great deal of panache."
That was the music played for Bush's exit after his speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding 400 years ago of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement.
Just before the music ended, Bush turned to Falletta, who stood on a step below him, kissed the top of her head and left without saying a word.
The 400-strong orchestra was made up of about 50 members of the Virginia Symphony, plus musicians from youth orchestras around the country. The switch in conductors was impromptu, said Falletta, the symphony's music director.
"I think he may have just been seized by the desire to conduct the orchestra," she said.
Falletta did not spot Bush until alerted by a musician.
"I'm embarrassed now that I didn't notice him, but I was just thinking of the music," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Wow! I hope there’s video of this!
A down-to-earth kind of guy...I love it!
You will find a photo of and article about this fun/charming moment here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070513/ap_on_go_pr_wh/conductor_bush
ping
ROTFLOL!
I have been in bands, playing this music, where we've had guest conductors who didn't know squat about conducting. HA! They ALWAYS conduct with panache.
“I prefer to be called Maestro.”
Neat picture!
JAMESTOWN, Va. - JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should — concentrating on the orchestra in front of her, when Bush (pushed) her aside in a Neo-Con Facist takeover.
"Smiling at me (like the) devil..," Falletta said.
She was (forced) to give him her baton and stepped aside.
Gesturing exuberantly, the president force the orchestra to play "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him ....," Falletta said afterward. "He was ....conducting.... He conducted with a great deal of force."
That was the music played for Bush's exit after his speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding 400 years ago of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement, and central beginning of the extermination of the Native Americans!
Just before the music ended, Bush turned to Falletta, who stood on a step below him, (kicked) the top of her head and left without saying a word.
The 400-strong orchestra was made up of about 50 members of the Virginia Symphony, plus musicians from youth orchestras around the country. The switch in conductors was (forced upon), said Falletta, the symphony's music director.
"I think he...seized....the orchestra," she said.
Falletta did not spot Bush until warned by a musician.
"I'm embarrassed now...." she said.
Bush stepped onto the podium and took over.
"He was cueing the brass, he was cueing the percussion," she said.
Bill Fearnside, a violinist with the Virginia Symphony, put down his instrument and picked up a camera to record the (shocking) moment.
"It was a little shocking, but it was fun," Fearnside said.
LOL! Excellent. But you forgot to include Iraq and Bush’s low aproval rating.
You know, he can do anything he wants because of the demonic patriot act and Karl Rove (sarc)
Well, until it’s on YouTube we can atleast imaginate what it will be like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ForP2_EGVRk
Note the words "It waves forever." ...FOREVER? It needs OUR support, so that it MAY wave forever — see below.
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears ‘mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom’s shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Maestro.
HOW COOL! I think it is really neat that the man with so much stress, so many burdens on his shoulders, can take a moment to ‘play’ and enjoy himself!
The picture of this ranks up there with the one of The President and The Queen!!
Kewl!!
We have the God-given right as sovereign citizens. But if we don’t exercise that right—en masse—we don’t display the might. If we thus abdicate our rights, there are those who would seek to usurp.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. — Thomas Jefferson
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. — Edmund Burke
What comes too cheaply is only given away at great cost.
NEVER FORGET.
did he have a glass... ?
I understand what you’re saying. But did you actually see this? He was confident enough and new the piece well enough to know when to focus on which section. His rhythm was spot on.
I’m really hoping the clip shows up on youtube.
Aaack...”knew the piece”
Dear mylife,
Thanks for the ping!
Classical Music Ping List ping!
If you want on or off this list, let me know via FR e-mail.
sitetest
Really, neat! Good for him. It is good to see the president, in his lighter moments. : )
*snort*
I don’t think I’ve ever even SEEN the words to “Stars and Stripes” forever! They’re wonderful!
Thanks!
No, I didn’t see it. I wish I had. I wish, really, really wish I had been in the orchestra as he had conducted. It is fun to play and fun to listen to and since, apparently, he did a good enough job, it would have been one of my life’s highlights.
Wow, we were just about to turn off the computer and get ready to go to bed, and then played that music. Not sleepy now!
I never Knew the SSF had words to it. Any idea where to find a MP3 where its being sung?
My daughter was a little part of this fun history yesterday. She plays violin in the Liberty High School Orchestra - the only orchestra invited from Missouri to play for the 400th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Jamestown, VA. She was also selected to be part of the 400 piece orchestra that played on Sunday - the one that President Bush conducted. She called us excitedly by cell phone right after the concert to tell us about the event. She was right in front of the conductor a few rows back. She was quite thrilled - one of those lifelong memories to relate to her grandchildren.
We did a little digging tonight and found video of the event on C-Span’s website. You’ll need RealPlayer to watch it.
A clip from RealPlayer - Pres. Bush at Jamestown, VA, 400th Anniversary Celebration
The orchestra starts playing at 37:05 into the videoclip (you can click on the slider/progress bar under the video clip to “fast forward” to near the end). President Bush conducts the orchestra at the 39:45 mark for about a minute.
Enjoy!
That is nice to hear and I’m glad for your daughter.
What a fun anecdote and a wonderful memory for your daughter!
[BTW: It seems as though you’ve raised quite a talented daughter — CONGRATS!]
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