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Marching To a Different Drummer This Graduation Season
As the school year comes to a close, many students will be embarking upon new adventures and celebrating scholastic accomplishments. One of the most memorable parts of that traditional summertime celebration is donning the cap and gown, marching down the aisle and across the stage to receive that well-earned diploma!
Graduation at any level is a grand achievement and deserves a grand soundtrack. With apologies to Edward Elgar, the composer of Pomp and Circumstance fame, here are a few unconventional alternatives for that honorable graduation march.
In 1945 composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II adapted the 1909 play “Liliom” by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár into a Broadway Musical titled “Carousel”. It had a very successful run and in 1955 they secured backing from 20th Century Fox Studios to do a film adaptation. Alfred Newman was enlisted to work on the arrangements for the soundtrack and one of the most emotional moments comes at the end of the film, Louise’s graduation scene; Billy Bigelow gets one last chance to see his family and the heartwarming anthem of comfort, You’ll Never Walk Alone, is the underscored message
FINAL SCENE CAROUSEL (1956) HD - YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Although Voldemort and the Deatheaters pretty much ruin any matriculating throughout the franchise, and we never actually see the advancement ceremonies from year to year, Patrick Doyle created a school hymn worthy of a magical march though the Great Hall in the 4th picture, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
Hogwarts Hymn in Goblet of Fire
Richard Dreyfuss’s turn at the podium came in 1995, as aspiring composer Glenn Holland in Mr. Holland’s Opus, and the scene where his students bring his symphony to life reaffirms the profound relationship between teacher and student that can last a lifetime.
Graduation ceremonies often signal the beginning of summer and all the glories the season can bring. Mahler’s 3rd symphony captures that moment when the world reawakens after a long oppressive winter and the party gets rolling!
Let’s speak plainly; no grad’s plans should include going off the join the stormtroopers or the imperial fleet of Star Destroyers….but that being said, John Williams’ Imperial March makes for an impressive entrance!
John Williams Conducting Imperial March
Congratulations, Graduates!
