Tomahawk Chop

I read with interest the article on Kim Scharnberg Meets Obama. I congratulate Mr. Scharnberg on his achievements and his talent. The last paragraph caused me concern, however. The writer states that among his current projects is an arrangement of “The Tomahawk Chop” for the Atlanta Braves games. I wonder if Mr. Scharnberg is aware of how offensive that stereotype is to native people and how long and hard groups of Native Americans and others have tried to persuade the National League team of Atlanta to change the logo and rectify this insulting exhibition. G. Peter Shiras

Kim Scharnberg replies: Yes, I am acutely aware of the controversy that’s surrounded the Florida University Fight Song that is better known as the “Tomahawk Chop” or just “The Chop.”  When I was asked about arranging the song (as a freelancer) for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra so that they could record it and film it for use on the JumboTron during the Atlanta Braves games, I was also asked if I knew who wrote the song.  I suggested they contact a copyright search firm that I’d used before and it was discovered that the composer of this piece is none other than Antonin Dvorak.  It’s derived from the opening cello solo from his “New World Symphony” written in 1892, which he completed while staying in Spillville, Iowa, a village of Czech immigrants where my mother had relatives.  I have no idea how certain pieces of music become offensive stereotypes, but it was my goal in arranging the piece to try and convert more baseball fans into classical music lovers. I was able to add the opening cello theme as well as several quotes from Dvorak into my arrangement.   You can hear it on my website- www.KimScharnberg.com under “Silly Music” on the Audio Page. Wikipedia told me that “The Native American mascot issue remains fiercely contested because of the many Native American mascots still currently used in sports.  According to the American Indian Cultural Support, as of 2006, at least 2,498 kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools use Native American Indian mascots throughout the country.  Though changes have been made at the high school and college levels, the professional sides have seen virtually no change. Several teams, such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs still utilize Native American themed mascots.” Music continues to be the great melting pot allowing me to work with musicians and entertainers of all ethnicities, including the event that celebrated Lincoln that was attended by our first African American President.  As I recently heard Ben Vereen say to an audience, “People ask if I’m black, colored or African American…. heck, I’m from Brooklyn!”

Kim Scharnberg