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It's Time to Celebrate American Heritage! |
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 But Not for Me
By George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin / arr. Warren Barker
Warren Barker chooses a beautiful Gershwin® ballad and gives it his own ethereal harmonic treatment in presenting this opportunity to feature a vocalist with your band (or a solo clarinetist, should you prefer). The lyrics can be ... more
Grade 4 (00-CB9520)...$50.00   |
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 A New Birth of Freedom
By Randol Alan Bass
This narrative setting of Lincoln’s immortal “Gettysburg Address” was commissioned by the United States “President’s Own” Marine Band in early 2009. As beautiful as the speech is on paper, the best way to appreciate Lincoln’s musical instinct for timbre... more
Grade 4.5 (00-33862)...$72.00 |
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The Heritage of the American Concert Band: A Proactive Approach to Historical Cross-Curricular Instruction
George Megaw
Managing Editor, Belwin Concert Band
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Unlike our European counterparts, whose history is an outgrowth of orchestral winds, the American concert band movement has a comparatively short history. It's quite logical, as our country's history is similarly short from a global perspective.
Our unique beginning evolved during the 19th century, employing large ensembles of wind and percussion instruments and existed mainly in the form of the military band for ceremonial and festive occasions. The works performed consisted mostly of marches and works with a patriotic flavor. This foundation was a particularly meaningful start to today's marching bands- reinforcing our military band roots.
The only time wind bands were used in a concert setting, comparable to that of a symphony orchestra, was when transcriptions of orchestral or operatic pieces were arranged and performed; there were comparatively few original concert works for a large wind ensemble at that time.
Obviously we've developed a unique concert band repertoire for "indoor?" concert bands, such as the works of Holst, Vaughan Williams, Grainger and the like, to today's more contemporary composers. But it's clear our American concert band history was built on the foundation of the military band and John Philip Sousa's march and ceremonial-based history.
American town bands, or community bands, followed the same route building on the military heritage and performing for festive occasions and ceremonial events. The oldest continuously operating American civilian concert band, founded in 1828, is the Allentown Band (PA).
The school band history followed suit as well, finding a relationship with football and sporting events for the marching band, and cultivating that relationship into one curricular setting to address fine and performing arts needs. It seems important to find a way to relate our current school band setting to its unique history as an integral part of the American...
There's MORE! Click here to read the full article. |
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 For Your 4th of July Celebration: America, the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates, music by Samuel A. Ward / arr. Jack Bullock
A grand arrangement of this highly patriotic theme is sure to bring pride to your ensemble. The familiar verse can be used as a sing-along if desired. The craft of this particular arrangement is that endurance and range has been carefully considered ensuring a dramatic close to a program while not overwhelming any one section of your band. Full of emotion, a certain winner!
Grade 3 (00-30716)...$60.00 |
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