VSO

Given the chance to work with Valdosta State Orchestra at college was an honor. Listening to the different scores and notes for the music they were to perform, to show off a slice of American life and its history. Even if I wasn't picked as a candidate to be used in the different themes, I worked hard to put together what I thought the music represented from its history, from intent, and making it down to what I heard myself. Mainly focusing on the “Old American Songs: Set I No. 4, Simple Gifts” I went back in time. The music was created as a ballet score commissioned by the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The ballet was choreographed by Dorothy Parker and George Balanchine, and it was intended to reflect the spirit of American life and the simplicity of rural life in the early United States. The title Simple Gifts comes from a Shaker hymn, which was used in the ballet to symbolize the themes of simplicity, community, and spiritual peace that the Shakers represented. Copland's use of this melody helped to create a sense of nostalgia and national identity in the piece. A piece that heavily reminds me of my own home, living in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere, without hardly any other kids my age, I learned from the elderly and nature around me. Noting that most of these songs feature a piano or flute being played, I incorporated that into the cover as well as an abstract rose using colorful linework to incorporate the history of Old American marriages and the visual of a rose-walled walkway in the video from “Barber Adagio for Strings” so it too is tied into the mix. Those who wish to listen to the music used for reference to what was played are listed below. All credit goes towards the music creators and video uploaders.
1. Old American Songs: Aaron Copland - Long Time Ago
https://youtu.be/BnvFQBkvs3A?si=ZcppZYOiBCmrzo0Y

2. Old American Songs: Set I No. 4, Simple Gifts
https://youtu.be/Y6VdJZ9uPuQ?si=pWXYH7fu3DPjEuNG

3. Old American Songs: Set I No. 5, Bought Me a Cat
https://youtu.be/vGlDDeZ5TQ8?si=tqZZC2tdblIm0EPn

4. Barber Adagio for Strings
https://youtu.be/WAoLJ8GbA4Y?si=NCP0n4X3Trkq9VxO

5. Gershwin Catfish Row: Symphonic Suite from “Porgy and Bess”
https://youtu.be/tlZN_SyjJP4?si=h5wIE9DCKiNBo_wd