A Star-Spangled Celebration! SATB

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?

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.