God Shed His Grace on Thee
Samuel Augustus Ward (setting Andrew Glover)
General Info
Year: 1882 / 2002
Duration: c. 4:55
Difficulty: III-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Hymn
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00 | Score Only (print) - $6.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Field Drum
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-Tam
- Xylophone
Antiphonal Trumpets (3)
Antiphonal Trombones (3)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This impressive chorale-prelude setting by Andrew Glover is an exceptional choice for ceremonial events, formal observances, or as a concert selection. A robust opening fanfare segues seamlessly into a peaceful original chorale. A short interlude leads into a robust and powerful chorus of America, the Beautiful which includes optional parts for antiphonal trumpets and trombones. Sensitive and reflective scoring combine with warm and gentle dissonances for a truly remarkable conclusion. Stunning, emotional and inspiring selection for any program.
- Program Note from publisher
This music is intended as both a patriotic statement as well as an emotional and provocative one. I have endeavored to bookend the obligatory powerful ‘tutti’ presentation of this great patriotic anthem with a certain element of contrasting original music to convey elements in addition to those we normally associate with this song.
While the verse, presented with powerful brass and boisterous percussion, is emblematic of our democracy and the freedoms that all Americans hold dear, this work concludes in a less conventional manner. The soft and gently unsettling dissonant ending suggests a disquieting need for a greater humanity and compassion; it is my hope that this music will create a positive aura of introspection. As we move ahead, may we reflect on the words of Catherine Lee Bates, who wrote, as part of the lyrics to America the Beautiful, the "thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears."
- Program Note by arranger
For Colleen Supinski (August 24, 1974 – September 11, 2001)
Premiere performance by the Lee's Summit North High School Band, Rona Adams-Bussard, conductor, at the Missouri Music Educators Conference, January 24, 2002.
- Program Note from score
Commercial Discography
- Audio CD: Washington Winds (Edward S. Petersen, conductor) - 2006
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- San Antonio (Tx.) Symphonic Band (Alfred Tapia, conductor) - 26 September 2023
- Karl K. King Municipal Band (Ft. Dodge, Iowa) (David Klee, conductor) - 1 July 2018
- California State University Dominguez Hills Wind Ensemble – 3 December 2009
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Christmas Declaration (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger)(2009/2019)
- Menuetto (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1795/2019)
All Wind Works
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- Apex March (2010)
- The Big Cage (as arranger)
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- Colossus of Columbia (as arranger) (1901/2022)
- Colonel Bogey (as arranger) (1914/2000)
- The Crossroads of the Nation March (2016)
- Czardas (as arranger) (1904/2015)
- Danza Brilliante (as arranger) (1871/2011)
- The Dauntless Battalion (as arranger)
- Eclipse Galop (as arranger) (1917/2018)
- Emblem of Freedom (as arranger) (1910/2003)
- Festive Dance from "Faust" (as arranger)
- Fidelity (as arranger) (1912/2011)
- The Gateway City (as arranger) (1910/2010)
- God Shed His Grace on Thee (as arranger) (1882/2002)
- Hallelujah Chorus (as arranger) (1741/2016)
- Happy Go Lucky (as arranger) (1869/2023)
- Harmony from Within (2021)
- High and Mighty (as arranger) (1917/2005)
- Hosts of Freedom (as arranger)
- Humoresque (as arranger)
- In the Garden (as arranger) (1912/2012)
- Invercargill March (as arranger) (1908/1998)
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- Love's Old Sweet Song (as arranger) (1884/2007)
- March Grandioso (as arranger)
- March Kings (2015)
- The Melody Shop (as arranger)
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- The New Colonial March (as arranger) (1901/2015)
- Nimrod (as arranger) (1899/2018)
- Pagliacci Intermezzo (as arranger)
- Passacaglia (as arranger) (c. 1703-1713?/2014)
- Petersborough Sleigh Ride (as arranger) (c. 1886/2019)
- Praeludium (as transcriber) (1901/2016)
- A Hymn of Thanksgiving (as arranger) (2005)
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- Rhapsody for Jazz Trumpet and Concert Band
- Roller Coaster! (2013)
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- A Song of Goodbye (2015)
- They're Off! (as arranger) (1918/2009)
- Thunderbolt Galop (as arranger) (1909/2016)
- A Trombone Family Reunion (as arranger) (2019)
- Venus (as arranger)
- Zacatecas (as arranger)