Student can’t sue over ‘Ave Maria’ ban

[foxfeet]

One Supreme Court justice wanted to hear case, but others decline

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday refused to let a high school student sue over school officials' refusal to let her play an instrumental version of "Ave Maria" at her graduation, a decision one justice says could lead to wide-ranging censorship of student speech.

The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from Kathryn Nurre, a former student at Henry M. Jackson High School. Nurre, who was a senior in 2006, wanted to play "Ave Maria" — Hail Mary in Latin — with the band's wind ensemble at the graduation.

Administrators raised red flags at the Everett, Wash., school when they heard about the idea from the wind ensemble seniors, who had played Franz Biebl's uptempo 1964 rendering of "Ave Maria" without controversy at a winter concert.

Full article at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989413/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[texastoast]

1. Stupid

Just stupid.

[Xithras]

2. It's silly that the school banned it.

A little common sense should have been applied here. Biebl's 'Ave' is an absolutely beautiful piece of work that is melodically inconsistent with the traditional religious Ave Maria. I could see the objection if someone had wanted to sing the piece, but to let the band play it? I'd challenge anyone to explain how that qualifies as "promoting" religion.

For those who aren't familiar with the composition, here's a YouTube of another high school orchestra playing the same piece. It's a beautiful bit of work, and not one that I'd have even the slightest complaint about my avowedly atheist daughter playing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-y1g5UiwYI

Reading through the entire OP, it sounds like the school had allowed a chorus to sing a gospel song the year before, which had generated a number of complaints. The piece was clearly religious and promotional, and shouldn't have been allowed in a public performance. Given the flack they received, it sounds like they were a little gun shy the following year when this came up.

[foxfeet]

3. I think part of the issue hinges on the occasion: winter concert vs. graduation.

I'd have no problem with a performance of the piece at a concert, which people are free to attend or not as they choose. Graduation, however, is a singular occasion, not strictly compulsory, but the proceedings ought to be as inclusive as possible.

[foxfeet]

4. Kick.

[proteus_lives]

5. How foolish.

[anigbrowl]

6. Extremely foolish

I'm an atheist and proud of it, but that doesn't mean I feel my freedom is infringed by religiously inspired artistic works, especially not ones that are generally agreed to have significant artistic merit. I no more support this than I would support the removal of all religious imagery from a museum that took public funding.

[Ian David]

7. Sure, but they also have to play The Anthem for Satan, as performed by this childrens' choir

Children's choir. Anthem for Satan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibIyVY5N7qo

[MineralMan]

8. Back in 1963, when I was a senior in a California high school,

I was asked to perform a vocal solo at a Christmas concert at the school. It was something I did a lot, but not at school functions. Even though I was a Presbyterian, I loved "Ave Maria," partly as a piece of music, and partly because we had a large Catholic minority in our student body.

So, I chose that as the piece to sing, difficult as it is to perform well, I rehearsed it with my accompanist and had it down solid. Well, they had a dress rehearsal. I sang. The Principal came to me and said, "You can't sing that song." I asked why. His answer was that it was "Too Catholic."

I found that amusing, and a little disturbing. So I sang "Oh, Holy Night," in its original French instead. I guess he couldn't object to it, because he didn't understand the words. :rofl:

Different reasons for not allowing it. Same effect.

[The Straight Story]

9. We win again! Those evil Christians wanting to play music in our schools- diversity blows

Once more we have shown America that we won't stand for their religion, or their music as it relates to religion. We are a diverse nation (in some ways, in other ways we have learned to beat down diversity).

I can rest well tonight knowing that someone who has a different belief than mine won't be able to share such in our schools....

Yeah - there might be some sarcasm in there :)

[FreeState]

10. Ave Maria is one of my favorite hymns, and I agree it has no place in a publicly funded function n/t