Gregory Singer, a New York violin dealer, hired 55 musicians to play a Pledge of Allegiance in front of Fox News.
This is America 2018.
We hear the some of the freelance musicians were not made aware of what they would be playing.
The US violinist has announced she is still…
We gather that Juilliard has summarily fired a…
The Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires has appointed…
The Atlanta gadfly music critic Mark Gresham reviewed…
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Still better than Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian.
Exactly what is wrong with this Norman? A ‘nation of immigrants’ like the USA was in dire need of something akin to the Pledge of Allegiance to bring about social and cultural cohesion. Given how white European immigrants, and indeed most non-European immigrant communities, have prospered and now regard themselves as fully American as opposed to German (or whichever nation their ancestors originated from) I’d argue the ritual has succeeded.
Or is it Fox News that you are afraid of? Or nationalism of any sort even when it is not rooted in race?
Please enlighten us.
I’m a second-generation American and I don’t need a jingoistic loyalty pledge performed on the propaganda channel of Party Trump to know where I’m from .
Perhaps not. But no one forces you to watch it.
Which has nothing to do with my comments on Von Schneider’s comment.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but not to your own facts. The pledge was written (in its current form, except for the later addition “under God”) by a socialist minister – hardly a right winger or an über-nationalist…
+1
Except that nationalism as we know it in the Western hemisphere today IS too often rooted in race and racism. To deny this is to live in Fox News’ ether of deception and denial.
Wonderful segment and music! Very refreshing.
My +1 was for Von Schneider rather than Scotty – new reply format didn’t quite work as expected.
Great to see. Too many conductors recently have been starting concerts by bashing the new President. (i.e. The previous Music Director of the NY Phil.) Musicians do exist on all sides of the political spectrum, not just the left.
The issue is not that they are playing pro Trump music, its that #1. They are not being paid a fair wage and #2. didn’t know what it was before they got there.
Somebody needs to tell Trump the pledge was written by a socialist!
The musicians even got the privilege to get paid way below scale for this schlock. I’d bet the hosts of F&F wouldn’t work below scale.
From Local 802 in NY:
Local 802 has been made aware that Manhattan Symphonie is hiring musicians to appear throughout tomorrow’s 3-hour broadcast of “Fox and Friends.” Fox is not a signatory to the AFM Basic Cable agreement.
No agreement has been filed for this engagement by Manhattan Symphonie or its leader Gregory Singer and it has been reported to Local 802 that the wages offered are far below local area standards. Musicians on this engagement will not receive health or pension benefits and no AFM protections are provided for future usages of this recorded performance.
Local 802 believes that musicians should receive fair compensation and remains committed to fighting for better working conditions within the music community.
Ugh. What is this, North Korea?
Except if it were North Korea the playing would be better!
Where hired musicians have to perform like in North Korea – that passes for culture in America.
What is a Trump conductor?
One who is incompetent as tRump, as in Gregory Singer.
Yup… Only in moronica!
Try to picture this in a civilized country… that’d be the joke of the week…
I presume this group will form a glorious cultural exchange with the Moranbong Band in the DPRK ?
Funny how the anchors were criticising the school official for not requiring the pledge to be said. Completely omitting that fact that in 1943, in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision said that public school students are not required to say the Pledge. Justice Robert H. Jackson, wrote:
“If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us”.
But who cares about law and precedent these days. I guess that case will get reversed by the Supreme Court soon…
Great performance. I’m probably biased — Gregory Singer is my brother. But I’m amazed and impressed that he could gather a full orchestra of musicians from diverse backgrounds and ages to play an original anthem outdoors on The Avenue of the Americas broadcast on national television. Quite a feat! At the same time, I’m disappointed that a few snotty members of the establishment snipe at such a unique musical moment — one that was created by largely young classical players for the joy of making music and to honor a society that inspires and celebrates free expression.
I think the issue is that to many of us, Trump himself represents the opposite of most of what makes America a great country. He’s an immigrant-bashing, race-baiting, aspiring dictator who only acknowledges the constitution in the most cynical fashion; wrapping himself in the American flag while proudly undermining everything it has historically stood for.
I think it’s fantastic to suggest that Music Unites America, but if you’re going to unite America, he needs a less divisive theme to unite around.
I had my tv on several years ago and your brothers song woke me up with his beautiful patriotic song. What a great performance!! I liked it so much I contacted Fox and Friends several days later to see you performed this song and how I could purchase it. I agree this song really gets you in the spirit and it really moved me. This would be the perfect upbeat song to perform at the White House. I know President Trump would love it as well.
Ah the USA…land of bullshit
completely nauseating
Spot on
Wow! Bad on so many levels…
Wow, this song really sux! It’s so bad, I bet probably Eric or Don Jr. wrote it!