Anita Brown

A N I T A B R O W N J A Z Z O R C H E S T R A

Presents
A Program Honoring America’s Collective Grief and Resilience
Relating to Our National Tragedy on September 11, 2001

September 10, 2011
~ A World Premiere ~
Stand: A Symphony for Jazz Orchestra
Composed, Arranged & Conducted by Anita Brown
An original symphony for jazz orchestra in five movements

IV. Valor
The United States Marine Corps 6th Communications Battalion, Firing Detail
Solo Trumpet: Tony Kadleck
The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
Captain Brian J. Wilson, Commander
Corporal Michael Hintz, Drill Master

Valor begins with a firing detail of seven Marines firing three volleys (shots) followed by two versions of Taps flanking the performance of The Silent Drill Platoon. Taps is first performed as a stark trumpet solo by Tony Kadleck, as per traditional military funeral honors. An orchestration of the familiar bugle call follows The Silent Drill Platoon’s performance. In its reprise, lush harmonies transfigure grief to strength as it now functions as a lullaby sounding the end of a day’s work; putting our loved ones and our grief to rest, making it possible to forge ahead, smile again and to Stand strong.

The inclusion of The Silent Drill Platoon as the centerpiece of this movement is visual testament of the courage, commitment, honor and discipline of our nation’s first responders, The United States Marines, while simultaneously representing all our military and in this production, all first responders throughout our nation. The silence during their performance provides the audience a moment of personal reflection. During this dramatic absence of music, conceived as an integral part of the symphony, the omnipresent energy of all first responders who Stand at the ready manifests. As The Silent Drill Platoon steps off, we abruptly become aware of only the subtle percussive sounds of The Marines’ M1 Garand rifles and white leather gloves, while observing the strength and fortitude of our great nation, represented in their precision drill.

*The drill is not included in these audio files but will be posted in the videos.