American Hymn
Subtitle: Variations on an Original Melody
General Info
Year: 1981
Duration: 10:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Merion Music (Sole Selling Agent: Theodore Presser)
Cost: Score & Parts - $50.00 | Score Only - $4.50
Instrumentation
Full Score
Condensed Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat or B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I
E-flat Alto Saxophone II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet (or Trumpet) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:
- Bass Drum
- Cymbals (crash and suspended)
- Glockenspiel (Orchestra Bells) I-II
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Tubular Bells (Chimes)
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
American Hymn was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association and the United States Air Force Band. It received its premiere on March 5th, 1980, as part of the 40th anniversary of the American Bandmasters Association in Washington, DC.
It is based on an earlier choral work which Schuman contributed to a comprehensive survey entitled American Hymns Old and New, published by Columbia University Press. The Langston Hughes text that inspired the original human is simple and straightforward, which is reflected in the melodic setting (quasi hymn-spiritual).
- Program Note from publisher
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Jason K. Fettig, conductor) – 11 March 2019 (The Music Center at Strathmore)
- Ohlone Wind Ensemble (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) – 25 March 2018
Works for Winds by This Composer
- American Hymn (1981)
- Anniversary Fanfare (1969)
- The Band Song (1967)
- Circus Overture (tr. Owen) (1944/1972)
- Dedication Fanfare (1969)
- George Washington Bridge (1950)
- New England Triptych (1956)
- Newsreel in Five Shots
- Prelude for a Great Occasion (1975)
- Variations on "America" (as orchestrator, trans. Rhoads)
Resources
- Brown, Michael R. (1992, Spring). “Analysis: American Hymn: Variations on an Original Melody by William Schuman.” Journal of Band Research 27(2), 67-79.
- Brown, Michael Ray. (1989). “The band music of William Schuman: A study of form, content and style.” Ed.D. dissertation. Athens: University of Georgia, pp. 78-98. Abstract: Dissertation Abstracts International (1990, March) 50(9), 2692-A.
- Rhodes, Stephen. “A comparative analysis of the band compositions of William Schuman.” Dissertation. Greeley: University of Northern Colorado. Abstract: Dissertation Abstracts International (1988, January) 48(7), 1579-A.
- Schuman, W. (1981). American Hymn: Variations on an Original Melody: For Concert Band [score]. Merlon Music: Bryn Mawr, Penn.