A Franklin Portrait
(2006) - This work was composed for the
Royse City High School Band, Dean Bouras, director and was transcribed
for orchestra by the composer. "A Franklin Portrait" is modeled after
Copland’s "Lincoln Portrait" in that it has narration and pays tribute
to a great patriot through words and music. The following is the
narration:Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and humanitarian and is considered to be one of the most influential Americans of all time. " A Franklin Portrait" is a musical tribute to his life and legacy.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. Despite only two years of formal schooling, Ben was an avid reader. His curiosity led to his interest in science.
Best known for his famous kite experiment demonstrating that lightning and the air around it was charged with electrical current, Franklin wanted to share his inventions rather than receive financial gain.
When speaking of his observations of the natural world, he said "I have never entered into any controversy regarding my opinions; I leave them to take their chance in the world; if they are right, truth and experience will support them."
Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and business success gained him respect both in the colonies and abroad. He traveled to England representing the colonies’ interests in maintaining unity with England, and when that failed, he negotiated an alliance between the United States and France that greatly contributed to the success of the revolution.
Franklin helped author parts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and signed both documents. No other individual was more involved in the birth of our nation.
Benjamin Franklin rose from humble beginnings to become a wealthy man by age 42. In a letter to his mother, he wrote "I would rather have it said, ‘He lived usefully’, than ‘He died rich’." While in Philadelphia, he organized a small group of tradesmen and artisans that met weekly to discuss how they may be of service to mankind. He established the first lending library, the Pennsylvania Hospital, the first fire company in Philadelphia, and the concept of fire insurance.
Through his creation of "Poor Richard’s Almanack", Franklin gave voice to many adages that are still known today such as "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Benjamin Franklin died at the age of 84 and 20,000 people attended his funeral. George Washington wrote these words in a letter to the dying Benjamin Franklin: "If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism, if to be beloved for philanthropy, can gratify the human mind, you have the pleasing consolation to know that you have not lived in vain."
Benjamin Franklin’s electric personality still lights the world!
Duration 9:00 High School Level $50.00
