The Fife and Drum of America

Great American composers should be receiving a nice royalty check from ASCAP. While Aaron Copland is dead, both his “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “Lincoln Portrait” were celebrated at the inaugural of newly elected President Barack Obama. Forrest Gump candidly stood in for Lincoln, and the United States military band (a conglomeration from different branches of the military) mightily performed the realization of Copland’s vintage l942 musical portrait. The inaugural, while in the service of America’s first African-American president, served as a dichotomy of previous President Bush’s lack of understanding of the importance of American patriotism and religion to America. With the blink of an eye the Bush family was whisked off to Midlands, Texas aboard “Special Air Mission 28000.” (Because Bush no longer was president, it could not be called Air Force One.) What occurred in America over the airwaves was startling. Suddenly the self-aware, conservative, and a-religious sentiment of Bush buckled, and waves of warm glorified reverence to God and country emerged. Hillary and Bill Clinton were almost brought to tears by the heartfelt National Prayer Service held at Washington’s National Cathedral. It was almost like Christmas had come again. Jesus all ready had been born, but a new Messiah was in the midst. Could such extreme symbolism be appropriate? The sentiments of the people involved seemed to say yes. Presiding priests from varying religions and countries each spoke in a communion that reached deep into the heart. The music of the service, like the music at the inauguration, was representative of the virtue, sincerity, and lineage of both religion and country. It provided the artistic model upon which worship and patriotism are supported. Thwarting separation of church and state the musical performances proved that religion and patriotism are one in the same. John Williams, while absent from the watchful eye of the television camera, paid homage to Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” with his arrangement of the 1848 Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” His was an air for a quartet of piano, violin, cello, and clarinet. Williams successfully resurrected the voices of William Grant Still, John Alden Carpenter, and George Gershwin in a setting that integrated the diverse and complex concerns of a foundling America and America today. Throughout the inaugural festivities the American military bands proved to be the example. By combining historical perspective, diligence, and soul they tactfully continued to set the example for protocol in American patriotism. While the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps itself pays homage to America’s British roots, the child still must be thankful to her rearing parents.