President Takes Baton at Jamestown
ANDREW PETKOFSKY
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
May 13, 2007
From left, First Lady Laura Bush, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Virginia First Lady Anne Holton react to a remark by President George W. Bush, right, during a speech at Anniversary Park in Jamestown, VA Sunday, May 13, 2007, one of the scenes of the 400th Anniversary Festival.
Law enforcement officers take cell-phone photos of President George W. Bush from a tv as he conducts an orchestra of 400 musicians from across the country and anchored by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Anniversary Park in Jamestown, VA Sunday, May 13, 2007, one of the scenes of the 400th Anniversary Festival.
From left, first Lady Laura Bush, Gov. timothy M. Kaine, Virginia First Lady Anne Holton, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne listen to President George W. Bush's adress at Anniversary Park in Jamestown, VA Sunday, May 13, 2007, one of the scenes of the 400th Anniversary Festival.
(Photos by Richmond Times-Dispatch) |
JAMESTOWN—More than 2,000 singers and instrumentalists performed so well today in a musical salute to Jamestown’s 400th anniversary that even President George W. Bush joined in.
Following his short speech just after noon, Bush borrowed the conductor’s baton and waved it with abandon as a 400-piece orchestra anchored by the Norfolk-based Virginia Symphony blasted the “The Stars and Stripes Forever.“
It was a humorous and exciting moment during the first of two performances by a huge combined choir and orchestra made up of the 400-piece orchestra and a nearly-1,800-voice-choir that included the Virginia Symphony Chorus and regional and youth choirs from nearly every state.
Fifty members of the Virginia Symphony were joined by 350 10-to-15-year-old musicians from around the country, said the conductor JoAnn Falletta.
The original plan was to have precisely 400 instrumentalists, to honor the anniversary number, and 1,607 singers to reflect the year Jamestown was settled. The total would be 2007 to reflect this anniversary year.
But Robert Shoup, the Virginia Symphony’s chorus master, said the final number of chorus members who showed up was close to 1,800.
Caitlyn Yoshina, a 13-year-old member of the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, said the experience of singing in such a large group, and singing for the president, was thrilling.
“It was awesome,“ she said just after the performance. “It was so much fun.“
The group of musicians was so large that singers sat in two large stands to the right and left of the tent-covered stage that held the orchestra, president and other dignitaries.
As Falletta conducted the orchestra, two choir conductors watched her on television screens and timed their conducting to match hers. Although there were brief moments when the chorus teetered on the edge of getting out of time with the orchestra, the performance mostly held together impressively.
Because of security requirements for the president’s visit, many of the musicians had to arrived by 5:30 a.m. so sound checks could be completed before 10 a.m. By mid-morning the singers, clad in long-sleeved blue T-shirts and clear rain ponchos, were shivering under drizzle that occasionally grew to driving rain.
But the rain stopped before noon, and the singers took off their ponchos before the performance began. The sun came out brightly during Bush’s speech.
By then the musicians had played the Olympic Fanfare and Theme, the National Anthem, America the Beautiful and a fanfare to introduce the president. They also played a very fast version of “Hail to the Chief” as Bush arrived.
Although Falletta later praised the president’s conducting, it appeared from the audience that his notion of the beat did not actually coincide with that of the musicians.
Shoup said being part of such a huge ensemble was a first for most of the participants.
“None of us have ever done anything like this before,“ he said. “This pretty much stands on its own.“
Are you going to post speech of the President?
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of
May 13, 2007 - 4:56 PM
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The ages of the musicians were wrong. My son Sage is 9 years old- a violinist. We were very proud of him to be a part of such a prestigious group!
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of davie, florida
May 15, 2007 - 4:48 PM
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That age group is very untrue. I am fifteen years old, and was in this 400-piece orchestra. There were many students older than me. I personally know that the ages ranged from somewhere around six years old to, I think, someone in their nineties. I really don’t think that that’s what Mrs. JoAnn Falletta said… Maybe she was interpreted wrong.
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Stephanie of New Jersey
August 12, 2007 - 7:30 PM
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My daughter participated in the 400th Anniversary Celebration in Jamestown VA 2007.
She was with the group that represented the State of Mississippi (they were from French Camp, MS - French Camp Academy).
I would like to know if there is a video or dvd available of the whole finale concert on Sunday May 13, 2007.
Please let me know if there is and where I can purchase it. Thank you Rhonda L. King
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of Memphis, TN
April 09, 2008 - 12:51 PM
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he can’t even run the country right and he is conducting an orchestra.
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Toronto Condos of Toronto
May 17, 2008 - 9:45 PM
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seems that all country is facing the same problems due to economic crisis right now
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michaels craft store of new york
May 23, 2008 - 12:44 PM
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I still am trying to find a video or DVD of the entire performance on Sunday.
My daughter was a member of the choir, she was with the group representing the state of MS.
P.S. I did not make the comment about Pres. Bush running the country and not being able to conduct the orchestra. The wrong persons name was put on my email. It had Stephanie, from New Jersey.
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of Memphis, TN
May 28, 2008 - 12:33 PM
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no wonder…fuel price is like maniac and people are losing money everyday now…thanks to politics
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June 08, 2008 - 9:51 AM
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thanks for that post lol
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Sabul of new york
June 09, 2008 - 5:16 AM
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These are very interesting information.
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Voyance of france
June 27, 2008 - 8:44 AM
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David’s father, Mr. Camak came up next to stress his frustration with the whole reason why we even came into that building today.
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modelleri of london
June 29, 2008 - 5:23 AM
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hi , very nice post ! great information
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forex of
July 02, 2008 - 3:19 PM
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I personally can’t wait until he is out of office. Good post either way.
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Atlantic City Shows of AC
July 03, 2008 - 4:34 PM
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bush your are the best.
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online fx of rusia
July 17, 2008 - 5:00 AM
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Good initiative taken up by the Govt.!
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Range Rover of
July 21, 2008 - 12:41 PM
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That picture of Bush to the right looks like he’s flipping the audience off lol
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petition of
July 28, 2008 - 8:11 PM
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very interesting…
Olympic Medal Tally
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of
July 31, 2008 - 5:14 AM
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Sounds like it was a very exciting and worthwhile event. Would have been neat seeing the Pres up close and personal like that!
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sarong of
August 02, 2008 - 1:00 PM
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“That age group is very untrue. I am fifteen years old, and was in this 400-piece orchestra. There were many students older than me. I personally know that the ages ranged from somewhere around six years old to, I think, someone in their nineties. I really don’t think that that’s what Mrs. JoAnn Falletta said… Maybe she was interpreted wrong.“
I agree, my brother was in it too, he’s 13.
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tOMd of USA
August 06, 2008 - 9:55 PM
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very interesting…
olympics 2008 medal tally
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of
August 10, 2008 - 9:37 PM
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Nice post, well done, Do the US send some of the musicians in the Olympics? because I havnt watched the Beijing Olympics Complete Medal Tally 2008 last Sunday.
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Gary Archer of
August 12, 2008 - 2:50 AM
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Thanks for the article..great stuff.!
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Rob of
August 12, 2008 - 5:35 AM
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Great work done by the Govt. Good to see that things are changing.
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Modded Autos of
August 20, 2008 - 6:34 AM
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I think that they should be proud at them and im talking just to the singers and instrumentalists.
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Online forex trading plaftorm of
August 21, 2008 - 7:53 PM
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It had to be pretty thrilling being that up close and personal with the pres?!
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public adjusters of
August 23, 2008 - 11:13 AM
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It was great that Jamestown’s 400th anniversary was celebrated with a Musical Salute. I am looking forward the presiden’s speech to be posted. Very informative post.
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Preethi of
August 30, 2008 - 7:34 AM
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Thanks for sharing your view. It really help’s to understand about your view. Really enjoy it.
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war gold of newyork
September 12, 2008 - 2:52 AM
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That is very exciting! 400 instrumentalists and 1,800 singers? That is a a full house.
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railroad accident lawyer of
September 15, 2008 - 2:35 PM
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Very good article, and Bush is a shit !
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voyance of
November 04, 2008 - 6:49 AM
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Great work done by the Govt. Good to see that things are changing.
Greets Bodenmais
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Bodenmais of Ohio
November 04, 2008 - 8:57 AM
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He’s trying to conduct orchestra maybe trying to please other people.He’s funny doing this stuff.
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Hawaii Craft Fairs of Hawaii
December 01, 2008 - 9:39 PM
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It must have been a gr8 occasion
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December 05, 2008 - 8:46 AM
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Fantastic article Ilove the Story
Greets Holz
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December 07, 2008 - 5:28 PM
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of USA
December 16, 2008 - 4:01 AM
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A good head of orchestra yes, but do not run the country properly
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voyance of france
January 20, 2009 - 3:05 PM
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