Posted on 07/01/2006 5:27:12 AM PDT by DogBarkTree
For years, seniors in the wind ensemble at Henry M. Jackson High School have selected a favorite piece of music to play during commencement.
For last month's ceremonies, the 17 students chose an instrumental version of "Ave Maria," which they had performed at a school concert in December 2004.
But their choice was vetoed by Dr. Carol Whitehead, superintendent of the Everett School District. Instead, the ensemble played a selection by British composer Gustav Holst.
Now Kathryn Nurre, an 18-year-old who played alto saxophone in the ensemble before graduating, is suing Whitehead, claiming the decision violated her First Amendment right to freedom of speech. She believes "Ave Maria" was nixed by Whitehead because she felt the song was too religious for a school-sanctioned event.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Thank you for the correction. If they were truly playing a modern version of the "Hail Mary" Catholic prayer, then indeed the authorities were right to ban it. (sarcasm off)
You miss the point. The Ave Maria was not sung. There were no words, just the melody. Reminding me that recently I heard the Ave Maria sung in a southern Baptist Church, not in a service but in a concert. It is in Latin. so no one was exposed to Catholic theology. Besides,half the verses "Ave Maria, gratia Plena"... is from the Bible.
This isn't your typical family.
....heh...
The piece was NOT originally "religious;" it was written as "Lady of the Lake" with slightly different lyrics.
So the guy's wrong on the facts AND the interpretation.
But he's likely a product of the publick screwels, too...
Thank you. Aren't computers wonderful! I think Gounods was still banned when I was growing up. Schubert's was okay but you didn't hear it much.
Can you imagine banning that music and forcing us to listen to Sister Mary Tomockwa's hippie guitar music?
This is a prior restraint and a discrimination against any type of religious speech. In that sense, since they were told to pick their favorite piece of music, the school board would have to have a compelling reason to deny them the choice of "Ave Maria". Now why don't you explain to the lurkers how they could constitutionally accomplish that?
The fact is that the reason for the censorship was not compelling, it was contrived.
In the case of this particular school, I don't Sister Mary would be allowed to play her guitar either.
Public schools are evil
"I mean Eurasia,"
"I mean..."
"I mean...."
"Long Live Big Brother,Long Live Big Brother,Long Live Big Brother,Long Live Big Brother,"
It will end when lawyers are "resting" on the bottom of the sea. Along with all members of the ACLU. Can't happen soon enough for me..
thanks for the links
The censorship arose out of the fear that grips most school administrators that SOMEONE might complain. I would bet that the principal called the lawyer and asked his advise on this and acted according to this advise. The advise was, probably, that if the principal disallowed this song that the school would not get sued. Wrong. The lawyer, of course, makes out like a bandit. Sued from the right, sued from the left he gets his cut.
That is beautiful. Yours? I will use it many times when speaking to the many marxists I find myself many times surrounded by.
FMCDH(BITS)
They need to chuck most or all of Bach's music too. Bach would write "Soli Dei Gloria" at the bottom of his works. This phrase is latin for "to God alone be the glory".
TM
Thanks for posting this.
Your most welcome. As I said, Im not a church goer but this story really pushed a hot button for me. Im glad to see it pushed the same button for most other folks as well.
Well I know to engage this further is folly. But I have heard this version. I would know it, not that it matters. But I live my faith and I am familiar with all versions of a song that is very sacred to me. I know the prayer in several languages.
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