Wanda Barford
And What Were You Doing on D-Day?
It’s the day of my music exam – Theory Grade 5.
In assembly there’s a service for the boys who will get killed.
Either side of me the girls are crying,
but I’m rehearsing my triads: major, minor, inverted...
At regular intervals (‘Identify these intervals as:
augmented, diminished, concordant or dissonant.’)
news bulletins are read out in sombre tones
(‘Describe semitones and quarter-tones’)
OUR BOYS ARE MAKING RAPID ADVANCES
BUT THE GERMANS ARE COUNTERING THIS OPENING PHASE
WITH SOME VICIOUS FIGHTING. (‘Write an answering phrase
to balance the given phrase’).
On the wireless
a colonel hums a cheery tune;
his men sing in chorus but flattish ...
(‘What is the function of flats, sharps, and naturals?’).
IN THE LAST TWO DAYS
OUR BOYS HAVEN’T SLEPT MUCH
(‘Insert rests where necessary
to complete these bars.’).
(‘Give the Italian for: hurrying,
in the style of a march; with fire;
repeat from the beginning.’) Affrettando,
alla marcia, con fuoco, da capo.
(‘What is the English equivalent of:
schnell, bestimmt, kräftig?’)
THE GERMANS ARE REPLYING TO OUR ATTACKS
SWIFTLY, DECISIVELY, WITH ENERGY.
(‘Write a rhythm on one note
to fit the given words:
“Still do the stars impart their light
To those who travel in the night”)
My rhythm is for sidedrum and bugles;
it’s a funeral march in common time.
I’d like it to have a tune
and to be played morendo ...
Page(s) 114-115
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