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 ...
See tag line.
Students are not on the stage by compulsion; they are by privilege. Privileges may carry strings with them.
I wonder which pieces or pieces by Holst.
"The Hymn of Jesus"?
Or maybe a selection from his opera Savitri, which reflects Holst's interest in Hindu literature and religion?
Hmm.
:^)
I would argue that they are there by invitation.
It will be interesting to see how ACLJ, Rutherford Institute, Liberty Council, etc. deal with the ACLU's new "provided forum" concept. The ACLU was getting murdered in court everytime they confronted the conservative legal institutes' free speech arguments.
I wondered how they'd brainstorm, and what they'd do.
It's an interesting rejoinder, "state-sponsored forum," but an invitation to an outside speaker is where it breaks down. Since every student does not have the "privilege" of address, and since every student is not an employee of the institution, then one can only call the origination their speaking an "invitation."
We have, including and especially Country Joe & the Fish.
This example isn't even a direct expression of the Christian faith - the connection is tangential, and Ave Maria is considered by many the most beautiful piece ever written.
I to take issue with certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
But why present those feeling here and now? Your convictions on the matter lend nothing to the topic of the thread. The piece in question could have had origins in any religion or belief systems. The issue is that of Political Correctness's ever reaching insanity.
You do yourself and your convictions a great disservice when you brow beat those you disagree with at every opportunity (especially when the opportunity is so very vague).
You do all of us a disservice by diluting the topic and picking at old wounds. Do you wish to break down any cohesiveness that would allow us to unite in even this topic?
Thanks.
Leni
Schubert's "Ave Maria" used to be counted as too theatrical for church.
Thank you. I only knew that Schubert was an infidel.
That's very "white" of you. ;-)
Ah, but her music is "relevant."
Whitehead is the beneficiary of the adoption by public education of Peter's principle, of elevating someone above their level of competence.
I am having a hard time with a sax version of Ave Maria.
It sounds like you had to sit through that guitar music too.
Or they could get a copy of the old "Index" used by the Catholics and just turn it around.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.