I enjoyed listening to Hildegard’s excerpt from “Play of Virtues”, In high school, I was apart of my schools top choir and each year we were required to sing renaissance music. Through performing in this choir my teacher helped us develop an appreciation for this genre of music. In Hildegard’s piece, I really enjoyed the vowels and the silkiness in her transition from note to note. As well I enjoyed when the whole choir came in, they came in as a unit and as one voice. I really enjoyed the movement in this piece and the dynamics in which it was performed. 

In Princess Leia’s theme music I think the melody is very important, it engraves a specific mood of Princess Leia and paints a picture of who she is and what she will do. The melody in this piece tells a story of its own and I believe helps bring the character to life. While listening to Princess Leia’s theme music to me it paints a picture of a strong woman who is going to make an impact. As well I think it brings this sense of nurturing and a story of redemption, showing that Princess Leia is strong and fierce yet nurturing and cares for others.

The second piece from star wars brings a feeling that something is about to go down and brings a feeling of power. I think this piece as well brings to life this character, Darth Vader and what he brings with him when he comes. 

For me, I relate more to Hildegard’s piece because of my musical background. however, I do believe for most students my age it would be easier to relate to star wars because of the popularity and modernism of it. Star Wars music has become a staple and has become something almost everyone knows.

I would hope other people would be able to appreciate Hildegard’s piece because it still provides a melody and soothing notes that are pleasant to the ear. Regardless of if it interests people or not it still is a beautiful piece that impacts the way you feel.

From the two different pieces of music, South City Voices and Stravinsky’s piece, I preferred Stravinsky’s. I enjoyed the elegance and passion and heart behind incorporating a section of the national anthem to his piece. I thought the South City Voices were trying too hard to showcase their talent instead of showcase the piece of music and I thought it took away from the beauty of the song. The national anthem has been performed in many different ways, but some styles like Stravinsky suit my taste better. The playing of the national anthem by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock to me was not offensive. While his take on it was not your classical playing of the national anthem, I do not believe he was intending to make fun of or dishonor the U.S. in any way. Woodstock a place filled with rock bands performing for thousands of people, Hendrix took the opportunity to play this national anthem in a way that would reach his audience. While his playing of the national anthem is not my specific taste in music, and I prefer the classic singing of the national anthem. I do think it was a cool way to bring the national anthem to his audience at Woodstock. At the time I think people would see this as offensive because it could be seen as disrespectful because it was not performed in the style it was written. I think people in 1969 were not used to this untraditional way of performing the national anthem and saw it as a disrespect to step out of the boundaries and go against the standards. However, I think these performances opened the door for other performers to take a new approach to the national anthem that we see performed today at NFL and NBA of the more poppy, riffs used to sing it. 

The playing of the national anthem by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock to me was not offensive. While his take on it was not your classical playing of the national anthem, I do not believe he was intending to make fun of or dishonor the U.S. in any way. Woodstock a place filled with rock bands performing for thousands of people, Hendrix took the opportunity to play this national anthem in a way that would reach his audience. While his playing of the national anthem is not my specific taste in music, and I prefer the classic singing of the national anthem. I do think it was a cool way to bring the national anthem to his audience at Woodstock. At the time I think people would see this as offensive because it could be seen as disrespectful because it was not performed in the style it was written. I think people in 1969 were not used to this untraditional way of performing the national anthem and saw it as a disrespect to step out of the boundaries and go against the standards. However, I think these performances opened the door for other performers to take a new approach to the national anthem that we see performed today at NFL and NBA of the more poppy, riffs used to sing it.

The Star-Spangled Banner, America’s national anthem, was taught to me like probably most kids in America. I learned the anthem in kindergarten music class, it was important that we learn this as we sang the national anthem as a school every Monday from our classrooms. The national anthem is a way to honor our country and take pride in the things that we have accomplished. It is a way to honor our American Veterans who have fought to protect our country and bring it honor. For me, the national anthem has become more of a thing we do before soccer games and other sporting events. I think because part of me does not feel proud in our country at the moment with the state that we are in politically and the issues we have regarding race, It is hard for me to look back on America and be proud of how we have treated people. However, the national anthem for me has become a way to thank God for what he has done for me and how he has placed me in a country that allows me to worship him freely and for that, I’m so thankful.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

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