Sometimes I hear certain songs that are just so beautiful they make you want to cry even songs without words just classical songs that are so beautifully composed they put tears in your eyes. Such songs are "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber, "October" by Eric Whitacre and "Rhosymedre" by Ralph Vaughn Williams. When someone participates in an orchestra or band there is a particular song that everyone remembers that somewhat summarizes their experience in that particular group. For me this song was "October" it was so beautiful there were 7 part harmonies and it was so intricate and musical. There is a difference between notes and music, the black and white on the page is simply the notes, the music is what the player brings to it, 80 percent of music is not written on the page. Dynamics, phrasing, style all of this is what makes a song. "October" exemplifies all of this and the way the harmonies come together it so beautiful I get goosebumps every time I hear it and I think of those that we have lost here at Apollo I jsut can't help but think of them. Even though it's not necessarily a sad song it's so moving.
The song was originally written as a band arrangement, although I may be somewhat biased as a string player I think this song is so much more beautiful as a string arrangement it's sharper and not as harsh. If you are interested in hearing it here is the best string version I have found.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_Bwl_CaAY&feature=related