Hymn to the Heartland
General Info
Year: 2018
Duration: c. 4:05
Difficulty: II-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Sharp Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00; (digital) - $60.00 | Score Only (print) - $5.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bells
- Ride Cymbal
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Hymn to the Heartland is a distinctive original work that is a true representation of the American voice. The pastoral effect of the 3/4 melody is evocative of rural folk music and is passed around through various sections, exploiting the wide range of colors available within the wind band. While percussion is sparse, it's utilized effectively in adding extra sparkle in carefully selected passages throughout the piece.
- Program Note from publisher
Aaron Copland toiled during the first part of the 20th century to define a distinctive American voice within the world of orchestral art music. Copland’s combination of sparse orchestration combined with polytonal effects resulted in a uniquely American sound that went on to influence many who followed in his footsteps (most notably Leonard Bernstein).
Because of their pastoral effect, some of Copland’s textures have been appropriated for this composition, Hymn to the Heartland. The 3/4 melody is evocative of rural folk music, and much of the harmonic language is consistent with American hymnody of the late 19th and early 20th century. The form is an adjusted AABA scheme. The melody is passed around from phrase to phrase through the sections in continually varying combinations in order to exploit the wide range of colors available within the wind band. Percussion is used sparsely, but adds extra sparkle in selected spots.
- Program Note by composer
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Friends University (Wichita, Kan.) Concert Band (Chris Sharp, conductor) - 10 February 2020
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Fla.) Wind Symphony (Chris Sharp, conductor) - 20 December 2018 (2018 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- The All-American
- An American Spectacular (as arranger) (2011)
- Buccaneer Hornpipe (2007)
- A Christmas Spectacular (as arranger) (2012)
- Cotton-Eyed Joe (as arranger) (2017)
- Danse Antiqua (2003)
- Feliz Navidad (as arranger) (2011)
- Flying Colors (2000)
- Funtango (2006)
- Give My Regards to Broadway (as arranger) (1904/1910)
- Hanukkah Highlights (2006)
- Hark! The Herald Angels Swing (2013)
- Hymn to the Heartland (2018)
- Intermezzo (as arranger) (1875/2002)
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (as arranger)
- Jing, Jing, Jingle (as arranger) (2015)
- Juju Dance
- Lament (2002/2021)
- Lullaby (2001)
- Mount Rockmore (2009)
- Our Song Shall Rise
- Rigaudon (as arranger) (1712/2018)
- Selections from "Carmen" (as arranger) (1875/2018)
- Spacious Firmament on High (2008)
- A Showstoppin' Christmas (2006)
- A Stowaway on Santa's Sleigh (as arranger) (2008)
- Trumpets Rock!
- Vikings Victorious (2006)
- Vision Quest
- Visions of Sugar Plums (2004)
- Walden (2002)
- Windermere Overture
Resources
- Chris Sharp, personal correspondence, April 2019
- Chris Sharp website Accessed 3 September 2021