Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, 2 Bb Clarinets, 2 Bassoons; 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba; Timpani, Drum Set, Vibraphone, 2 Percussion (Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum, Shaker, Cowbell); Strings.
Duration: 3 minutes, 40 seconds.
Suggested Program Format: Pops Concert.
Description: This instrumental arrangement of America the Beautiful was written in commemoration of the bicentennial of the United States Bill of Rights. In addition to the traditional elements of the march and chorale, new harmonies, latin and jazz rhythms and melodic figures are added to the texture. These musical devices give the work a more multi-cultural feeling which represents the realities of our society today. The "America" motif of the original song has been developed and made into a call and response passage that leads the arrangment to its climax. Eventually woodwinds and horns respond to it with snippets of other patriotic tunes. As the arrangement concludes, these tunes fade out into a solo snare drum march rhythm.
History: America the Beautiful was written in the fall of 1991. The piece was first performed during an assembly at San Jose High Academy celebrating the Bill of Rights bicentennial. The work was dedicated to Rep. Don Edwards, a graduate of the school, the featured speaker at the assembly, and at that time a member of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Edwards has been a long time champion of Bill of Rights causes as well as a supporter of the arts in America and the rights of composers and musicians in our society.
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