Larkin High School Band, May 8, 2008, 4th Song, Part 1: "Flag of Stars (A Salute to America)," Gordon Jacob. First Chair Trumpet, Michael R. Johnson. NOTE: When this was first uploaded, way back in April of 2009, it was not possible to upload a song of this length -- so it had to be split into two parts. HD sound of the quality now available was not then available, either. Therefore, this 10 years later, in honor of Flag Day, June 14, 2019, after 2,841 views of the first of the two parts earlier posted, I am RE-UPLOADING this song in one, continuous piece.
At www.windrep.org/Flag_of_Stars, the composer Gordon Jacob wrote:
"The overture was written during the end of 1953 and the beginning of 1954 and is intended as a gesture from an inhabitant of the Old World to those of the New.
The introductory fanfare and the slow section which follows it recalls the sacrifices made by your country in both world wars in the struggle with dark forces of destruction. The allegro is prompted by thoughts of the energy, vitality, and cheerfulness of the American people - young, optimistic, and full of their faith in their destiny. The second subject in 3/4 time might perhaps suggest a sort of national song and right at the end there is a brief quotation from the "Star Spangled Banner." But apart from any extra-musical meaning the work is constructed solidly on classical formal lines though its musical language is that of the 20th century (though not of an extreme type).
- Program Note by Gordon Jacob"
This piece is a lip blaster, especially for a first chair trumpet player who at the time had a lump in his lip the size of a BB, and less than 24 hours before had played lead in the jazz band's concert... but...
"There are two sides to a Trumpeter's personality: There is the one that lives only to lay waste to the woodwinds and strings, leaving them lying blue and lifeless along the swath of destruction that is a trumpeter's fury. Then there's the Dark Side..." Irving Bush. In other words, to the trumpet player, domination and celebration are sometimes inseparable... :)
Michael on that night, his last concert, as a Senior, was wearing one of his Grandfather Johnson's ties, paying tribute to the original trumpet player in the family, the first of three generations. Michael's then-trumpet student, Blaze Cermak, now a band director, is second chair.
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King."
Psalms 98:4-6
"The trumpet shall sound
and the dead shall be raised,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed."
1 Corinthians 15:52
This performance it used pursuant to: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." There is no attempt whatsoever by the uploader to make any money from this video. Any money generated should go to those holding the rights to this song. The uploader would encourage all band directors to purchase this score, and students of band listening to this video to encourage their directors to do so, as it is a marvelous piece.