Court Nixes Graduation ‘Ave Maria’

Item: Court: ‘Ave Maria’ can’t be played at graduation /AP, KGW

More Info: A federal appeals panel has upheld a decision to bar the instrumental performance of a hymn at a high school graduation in Everett, Wash. The case arose after seniors in the Henry M. Jackson High School wind ensemble asked to play an instrumental version of “Ave Maria” at their commencement in June 2006. When school officials said no, one of the students, Kathryn Nurre, challenged them in court. There are two versions of “Ave Maria”. The one familiar to most is by Franz Schubert often heard during the Christmas season or at funerals.

Question: Did the appeals court make the right decision?