The Star-Spangled Banner (VJCP543-BB)
words by Francis Scott Key
music by John Stafford Smith
arr. by Russell Schmidt
$30.00 (USD) [New Releases are currently $5.00 off!]
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VJCP543-BB – Jazz Ensemble Chart, written for the full, traditional big band line-up (18 performers). The instrumentation is as follows:
Soprano Sax (Alto Sax I book), Alto Sax II, Tenor Sax I, Tenor Sax II, Baritone Sax
Trumpet I, Trumpet II, Trumpet III, Trumpet IV
Trombone I, Trombone II, Trombone III, Bass Trombone (IV)
Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums, Vibraphone
NOTE: This chart also comes with an alternate Alto Sax I part (replacing Soprano Sax). However, Soprano Sax—or even Bb Clarinet on the Soprano part—is the preferred option/color in the lead sax chair for this version of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Description: The Star-Spangled Banner has been the national anthem of the United States of America since March 1931. The lyrics are taken from a poem by Francis Scott Key entitled Defence of Fort McHenry. The music is drawn from To Anacreon in Heaven (a.k.a., The Anacreontic Song), an 18th-century British song, written by John Stafford Smith.
While there is an ever-growing tradition of vocalists putting their own, personal stamp on the piece—Whitney Houston’s 1991 performance prior to Super Bowl XXV (brilliantly arranged by John Clayton) immediately springs to mind as an all-time classic—resonant, evocative, individualized treatments of the national anthem in an instrumental setting are far less prevalent.
Igor Stravinsky famously reinterpreted The Star-Spangled Banner in 1941, performing it with the Boston Symphony in January 1944, until being discouraged from programming it again by local authorities (who were likely misinterpreting a statute regarding the national anthem). Stravinsky himself described his version as fulfilling a “…desire to do my bit in these grievous times toward fostering and preserving the spirit of patriotism in this country.” While urban legend might indicate Stravinsky was fined and/or jailed for his arrangement, this was never the case.
VJC Founder Russell Schmidt has endeavored to create a new arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner that has similar aspirations during this particularly divisive, challenging moment in American history: to create an interpretation that, through its delicate, yet fiercely independent beauty, might foster unity by appealing to the best part of our national patriotism.
This big band arrangement is of intermediate difficulty.
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Please note: The VJC will never pursue payment of synchronization rights from middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, community colleges, universities, all-state ensembles, church groups, or independent educational programs for young people related to the posting of recorded performances of this work on YouTube or other, similar sites (including social media platforms). While sharing the .pdf files is not permitted, sharing your musical performance online is.
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The Star-Spangled Banner
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