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When the Tears Fell is a musical depiction of the tragic relocation in 1838-39of the Cherokee people from eastern states to the west during which over 4,000men, women, and children died. The piece is in four distinct sections - The Gathering is the period of spring and summer 1838 when the Cherokee were gathered by the military into stockades and encampments. This section introduces a theme in the horns that returns throughout the piece representingthe enduring spirit of the Cherokee. The Journey is a lively, driving sectionutilizing a characteristic pentatonic scale and percussion effects. The HarshWinter during which most of the deaths occurred is evoked using plaintive, somber melodic lines and dissonant harmonies. Spring: A New Nation celebratesthe rebirth of the Cherokee including the reestablishment of the tribal government with an elected legislature and a bilingual school system. This isa fine option for contest and perfect for correlating lessons in U.S. history.

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