Homeward Bound (Keen)
Marta Keen (arr. Brant Karrick)
General Info
Year: 1991 / 2009
Duration: c. 3:45
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Choir and piano
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00; (digital) - $55.00 | Score Only (print) - $8.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-I-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
SATB Choir
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Homeward Bound was originally one of the most popular and widely performed contemporary choral pieces of all time. Heartfelt and elegant in its simplicity, it's touched thousands of musicians and their audiences with its warmth and sincerity, and has become the anthem for many soldiers returning home from foreign wars.
- Program Note from publisher
I wrote this song for a loved one who was embarking upon a new phase of life's journey, to express the soul's yearning to grow and change. It was premiered by a Seattle Irish tenor, but soon after was beautifully arranged by Jay Althouse and published by Alfred Music. It has been performed by choirs of all ages throughout the English-speaking world and many Asian countries. In 2004 this song appeared in the video tribute to our American troops titled Until Then by Todd Clegg. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a spectacular arrangement by Dr. Mack Wilberg on their CD Love Is Spoken Here. I continue to be delighted at the wide range of performances and interpretations of this song, which now truly seems to have a life of its own.
- Program Note by composer
This arrangement dedicated to the memory of Dr. Robert Hartwell.
- Program Note from score
Media
State Ratings
- Alabama: Class D
- Louisiana: II
- Minnesota: III
- Texas: II. Complete
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Kent State University (Ohio) All-Star Gold Band (Wendy K. Matthews, conductor) – 11 January 2020
- Charlottesville (Va.) Municipal Band (Stephen R. Layman, conductor; C'ville Singers Chorale) - 14 August 2018
- John Marshall High School (Rochester, Minn.) Symphonic Band (Christopher Jarvis, conductor) 24 May 2016
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Homeward Bound (arr. Karrick) (1991/2009)
- Homeward Bound (arr. Kotovsky) (1991/2018)