Thursday Thirteen, part deux

I'm giving this another go, as soon as I figure out what I want to list 13 of this time........

Ok, I'm back. Here goes:

13 Favorite Songs/Pieces of Music

*warning, this is going to be a totally random list, in no particular order and with no apparent rhyme or reason to the choices* Ok, carry on.....

1. March from Symphonic Metamorphosis, by Hindemith (the concert band version, natch)
We played this at Furman, and it ranks in my mind as one of the best pieces ever for a brass player. What a high when it reaches the loudest part near the end!

2. American Pie, by Don McLean.
This song gets me every time; the symbolism in it, etc. And that line "as the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield" gives me goosebumps, as dorky as that may sound. But if you've marched, and almost been trampled by the gigantic football players, you'll know what I mean.

3. Dream a Little Dream of Me, as sung by Mama Cass Elliot.
Her voice is so distinctive, and unusual, but I love the way she does this song. Fits well in my voice range too, so every time I hear it I have to sing along and do my best Mama Cass imitation, LOL!

4. Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, by Tchaikovsky.
Again, this is a piece I've played, and it exemplifies the Romantic period better than anything else, IMHO. You've heard it, trust me, you have, even if you don't know the title. Movies, commercials, if they need music to represent someone being all starry-eyed in love, this is what they play.

5. Theme from Gone With the Wind, by Max Steiner.
Are you seeing a pattern here? Dripping with sappy romanticism, but I guess that's a pretty good description of me too, in some ways. ;)

6. Love Shack, the B52s.
Reminds me so much of the days of fraternity/sorority parties at Furman, when the song first came out. A room full of music people....you can imagine we sang at the top of our lungs, and it was so much fun!

7. Suite from Monteregian Hills for brass quintet, by Morley Calvert.
K and I played this several times in college, including on my senior recital. A showy piece, fun for trumpets especially, and with some neat "inside jokes" for the musicians!

8. Moondance, by Van Morrison.
K sings this with his rock band, and has for years, and I love to hear him! :)

9. Incantation and Dance for concert band, by John Barnes Chance.
What a fun piece to play! Wish I could have played flute on this one, but I'm not sure I could cut it in the more technical parts.

10. Elegy for a Young American, by LoPresti, for concert band.
Written in honor and memory of JFK, and this was a piece I chose to teach and conduct the first time I ever took a band to a festival (while student teaching). We got a I!!!!!! And this is such an emotional, moving piece, very powerful.

11. Carmina Burana, by Orff.
The entire music department of Furman did this oratorio, and it was amazing! The stage was full---orchestra with complete wind section, huge chorus, it was wonderful to be a part of. Wish I could sing it one day!

12. The Messiah, by Handel.
Same story---Furman music department used to do this every other year (wonder if they still do?) So, I played trumpet my freshman year, and sang soprano my junior year. Singing was more fun! (ooops, did I just say that?)

13. Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart.
Sang this at Furman, and conducted it with my own chorus this year. One of the few things we did this year that sounded good (to me) and that I was proud of myself for teaching them, etc. The progression of the harmonies in this is amazing!

Ok, if you've not been bored to tears by my music-nerd list, thanks for reading and staying with me. :)