What has Saratoga Winter Guard in common with the Obama Inauguration?
SMB thanks Larry Chang, SHS "Guard Father", for this update.
While cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriela Montero performed John Williams’ selections from “Air & Simple Gifts” during Obama’s Inauguration, Vera Lee (Saratoga Marching Band alumni) texted her sister Christine Lee (Saratoga Winter Guard 2008): “hi, they play YOUR music”.
Yes, “Simple Gifts” was the music selected by Guard Director Dario Ramos for the 2007 Winter Guard performance.
Is this coincidence or prescience?
Amazingly, the speech by Martin Luther King was selected by Dario for the 2008 Winter Guard performance titled: “A Protest for Peace”.
Rose Cheng, Vera and Christine’s mom, declared: “Mr. Ramos has such great vision!”
We would like to think it is a prognostication of good things to come!
Dario has selected the theme of “Modern Rhythms” for the upcoming 2009 Winter Guard performance. Perhaps President Obama will drive for “Modern Rhythms of Change”. It’s entirely possible!
Rose advocated: “Let’s share this story with our Saratoga Music family! “
You can enjoy these fond memories by visiting:
“Simple Gifts” 2007 Winter Guard
“A Protest for Peace” 2008 Winter Guard
Yo-Yo Ma, etal at Obama Inauguration
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