A Star-Spangled Celebration

This fast paced pop-style medley is a break from patriotic tradition. Opening grandly into a contemporary work with “This Is My Country ” this choral develops into “America the Beautiful ” then grows intoa gospel-style setting of “My Country 'Tis of Thee” and ends as it began with “This Is My Country.” It remains up-beat and powerful until the very last chord. “A Star Spangled Celebration!” isa choreographer's dream of movement and energy and a wonderful addition to festival programming. Available separately: SATB SSA SAB StudioTrax CD.

Judith Clurman Choral Series-In 1814 Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) wrote new words for a well-known drinking song by John Stafford Smith (1750-1836) 'To Anacreon in Heaven' to celebrate America's recent victory over the British. In 1931 Congress passeda law proclaiming 'The Star Spangled Banner' to be the national anthem of the United States.This arrangement by Doug Katsaros was first performed at the Macy's 4th July Fireworks Spectacular onNBC television July 4th 2014. The performers were soloist Idina Menzel Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA and Sherrie Maricle's Dive Jazz Orchestra. The recording of that performance has been added to the permanent archivesat F. McHenry in Balitmore MD.Text (Defence of Fort M'Henry by Francis Scott Key):O! say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?Whose broadstripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming And the rockets' red glare the bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night that our flag was stillthere-O! say does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Contents include: Anchors Aweigh/The Caissons Go Rolling Along; The Star Spangled Banner; When Johnny Comes marching Home; America the Beautiful; Battle Hymn of the Republic; The Marines' Hymn; and My Country 'tis of Thee.

‘Tis the Season is a hammered dulcimer collection of tunes for holidays and other celebrations throughout the year. You may celebrate the New Year with “Auld Lang Syne ” and Valentine’s Day with“My Love is Like a Red Red Rose.” Play “St. Patrick’s Day” in March and for Easter you might choose the hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Show your patriotism on the Fourth of Julywith these versions of “America the Beautiful ” or “The Star Spangled Banner.” Complete the calendar year with the Thanksgiving anthem “We Gather Together ” and Christmas favorite “Deckthe Halls.” This collection will carry you through the entire year with options for all of your favorite holidays and celebrations. ‘Tis the Season is accessible to all levels of players including both a beginning'melody-only' version and an intermediate arranged version for each song. In addition each tune has guitar chords notated above the music staff. Standard notation only.

2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of Francis Scott Key's piece that became our National Anthem. Tim Sharp Executive Director of ACDA saw an opportunity for choirs all across America to stand together in harmony and celebration. His arrangement is based on the improvisation performed by Rachmaninoff an American citizen and can be sung a cappella or accompanied (see NMK1001/HL00125145) from National Music Publishers.

When the Second World War began the British March King Kenneth J. Alford (pseudonym for Major F. J. Ricketts R.M.) was increasingly in bad health and had composed relatively little music recently. As Hitler's armies marched victoriously across Europe Britain was soon alone facing the Nazi peril. Alford's great contribution to the war effort was the composition of two of his great masterpieces ARMY OF THE NILE celebrating the first Allied victories over the Germans in North Africa and EAGLE SQUADRON. The latter of these marches celebrates American airmen who travelled to England during the early years of the war (before the entry of the United States into the conflict) tovolunteer for service with the Royal Air Force serving with great distinction during the Battle of Britain. Alford skillfully weaves a number of well-known tunes into the fabric of the music including the Royal Air Force March and The Star-Spangled Banner while also including a reference to the Siegfried motive from Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. Mark Rogers' edition of this classic march includes a handsome full score and concert size set of parts.

2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of Francis Scott Key's piece that became our National Anthem. Tim Sharp Executive Director of ACDA saw an opportunity for choirs all across America to stand together in harmony and celebration. His arrangement is based on the improvisation performed by Rachmaninoff an American citizen and can be sung a cappella or accompanied (see NMK1001/HL00125145) from National Music Publishers.

When the Second World War began the British March King Kenneth J. Alford (pseudonym for Major F. J. Ricketts R.M.) was increasingly in bad health and had composed relatively little music recently. As Hitler's armies marched victoriously across Europe Britain was soon alone facing the Nazi peril. Alford's great contribution to the war effort was the composition of two of his great masterpieces ARMY OF THE NILE celebrating the first Allied victories over the Germans in North Africa and EAGLE SQUADRON. The latter of these marches celebrates American airmen who travelled to England during the early years of the war (before the entry of the United States into the conflict) tovolunteer for service with the Royal Air Force serving with great distinction during the Battle of Britain. Alford skillfully weaves a number of well-known tunes into the fabric of the music including the Royal Air Force March and The Star-Spangled Banner while also including a reference to the Siegfried motive from Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. Mark Rogers' edition of this classic march includes a handsome full score and concert size set of parts.

The Phillip Keveren Series-Features Phillip Keveren's great solo arrangements of 14 favorites celebrating the land of the free including: America the Beautiful - Anchors Aweigh - Battle Hymn of the Republic - God Bless Our Native Land - My Country 'Tis of Thee - Semper Fidelis - Stars and Stripes Forever - Yankee Doodle Boy - You're a Grand Old Flag - and more.