Star-Spangled Banner, The (arr Bowles)

From Wind Repertory Project
John Stafford Smith

John Stafford Smith (arr. Richard W. Bowles)


General Info

Year: 1814 / 1974
Duration: c. 1:50
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Song
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $50.00   |   Score Only (print) - $5.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry," a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a men's social club in London. To Anacreon in Heaven (or The Anacreontic Song), with various lyrics, was already popular in the United States. Set to Key's poem and renamed The Star-Spangled Banner, it would soon become a well-known American patriotic song. With a range of one octave and one fifth (a semitone more than an octave and a half), it is known for being difficult to sing. Although the poem has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.

The Star-Spangled Banner was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889, and by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1508, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 301), which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of American officialdom. Hail, Columbia served this purpose at official functions for most of the 19th century. My Country, 'Tis of Thee, whose melody is identical to God Save the Queen, the British national anthem, also served as a de facto anthem. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent American wars, other songs emerged to compete for popularity at public events, among them The Star-Spangled Banner.

- Program Notes from Wikipedia


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.) Wind Symphony (Denisse Santos, conductor) - 28 October 2023
  • Winona (Minn.) Municipal Band (Levi Lundak, conductor) - 28 June 2023
  • Callanwolde Concert Band (Decatur, Ga.) (Glen Moore, conductor) – 4 July 2018
  • Andrew Glover Circus Band (St. Louis, Mo.) (Andrew Glover, conductor) – 16 June 2017 (2017 Circus Fans of America Convention)


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources