HOLIDAYS

Here are some suggestions for holiday-themed concerts. Of course, with a little “spin,” any piece of music can work on any holiday! All the pieces on this page are duplicates of their listings on other pages of this site.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH (MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY)

“An American Cantata” is a composition by Maury Yeston for 2,000 voices and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Millennium Celebration in the Spring of the year 2000.

Composed and orchestrated by Yeston, the piece is a three-movement work that celebrates the achievement of the idea of individual liberty and equality, along with our inherent and universal entitlement to it, and the sanctity of each human life, as our civilization’s single greatest intellectual accomplishment of the past thousand years.

Sung by a Mixed Chorus, Boys Choir, and Gospel Choir; texts include excerpts from the Magna Carta, the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Memphis speech (“I have been to the mountaintop”), and original lyrics by Yeston.

COMPOSER’S NOTE: In the photo above there are about 60 in the band, 200 in the Boys and Girls choir down left, and 200 in the Gospel choir down right. Then behind the band, 800 on the left and 800 on the right … inspired by the antiphonal choirs at St. Marco Venice (Gabrielli etc,). There were about 20,000 in the audience, arrayed down towards the Washington monument. When they commissioned me to write it for 2000 voices I asked if they would want 3000 if it were the year 3000. Of course, they said yes! The use of 2000 voices was a one-time event. The piece may be performed by far fewer voices such as 90 (30+30+15+15). The term “Boys Choir” denotes the desired sound. This may absolutely be a Children’s Choir composed of boys and girls.

All three Movements of the “Cantata” can be rented as one piece, or each Movement is available to rent separately in both: (a) Full Orchestra Score and Parts version. (b) Choral and Piano Accompaniment version.
1st Movement

2st Movement

3rd Movement

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(1st=Picc), 3(3rd_EH),3(3rd=BsCl),3(3rd=ContraBsn) / 4,3,3(3rd=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Glock, Crotales, Tubular Bells, Vibes, Tri, Tamb, Piatti, Bright Sizzle Cym, SusCym, LgGong, SnDr, Tom-Toms, GC] / Harp, Full Strings / Chorus / Rhythm Section (2nd Mvt. only): Piano, ElecBs,Drs)

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

American Parade—a Century of Celebration consists of four short pieces depicting parade holidays. As played by the West Point Army Band, “American Parade” became the subject of a documentary—of the same name—featuring the pieces performed in their entirety, then going on to explore music in the military. The entire hour-long documentary can be seen on YouTube HERE
(NOTE: There is also a Concert Band version available, transcribed by West Point arranger Douglas Richard.)
St. Patrick’s Day


Thanksgiving Day


Memorial Day


Independence Day


INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc [], Piano / Strings.

MEMORIAL DAY

“An American Cantata” is a composition by Maury Yeston for 2,000 voices and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Millennium Celebration in the Spring of the year 2000.

Composed and orchestrated by Yeston, the piece is a three-movement work that celebrates the achievement of the idea of individual liberty and equality, along with our inherent and universal entitlement to it, and the sanctity of each human life, as our civilization’s single greatest intellectual accomplishment of the past thousand years.

Sung by a Mixed Chorus, Boys Choir, and Gospel Choir; texts include excerpts from the Magna Carta, the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Memphis speech (“I have been to the mountaintop”), and original lyrics by Yeston.

COMPOSER’S NOTE: In the photo above there are about 60 in the band, 200 in the Boys and Girls choir down left, and 200 in the Gospel choir down right. Then behind the band, 800 on the left and 800 on the right … inspired by the antiphonal choirs at St. Marco Venice (Gabrielli etc,). There were about 20,000 in the audience, arrayed down towards the Washington monument. When they commissioned me to write it for 2000 voices I asked if they would want 3000 if it were the year 3000. Of course, they said yes! The use of 2000 voices was a one-time event. The piece may be performed by far fewer voices such as 90 (30+30+15+15). The term “Boys Choir” denotes the desired sound. This may absolutely be a Children’s Choir composed of boys and girls.

All three Movements of the “Cantata” can be rented as one piece, or each Movement is available to rent separately in both: (a) Full Orchestra Score and Parts version. (b) Choral and Piano Accompaniment version.
1st Movement

2st Movement

3rd Movement

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(1st=Picc), 3(3rd_EH),3(3rd=BsCl),3(3rd=ContraBsn) / 4,3,3(3rd=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Glock, Crotales, Tubular Bells, Vibes, Tri, Tamb, Piatti, Bright Sizzle Cym, SusCym, LgGong, SnDr, Tom-Toms, GC] / Harp, Full Strings / Chorus / Rhythm Section (2nd Mvt. only): Piano, ElecBs,Drs)
American Parade—a Century of Celebration consists of four short pieces depicting parade holidays. As played by the West Point Army Band, “American Parade” became the subject of a documentary—of the same name—featuring the pieces performed in their entirety, then going on to explore music in the military. The entire hour-long documentary can be seen on YouTube HERE (NOTE: There is also a Concert Band version available, transcribed by West Point arranger Douglas Richard.)
St. Patrick’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc [], Piano / Strings.

Composed by Ferde Grofé
INSTRUMENTATION: 3(3=Picc).2.2.2/4.3.3(3 is Bass).1/Timpani.Snare Drum.Perc(2)(Crash Cymbal, Bells).Bass Drum.Hrp/6.5.4.4.3

INDEPENDENCE DAY


Composed by Harry Warren
INSTRUMENTATION: Rd1-6(Fl.Ob.Cl.Cl.BsCl.Bn)/1.1.0.0/Hrp/6.5.4.4.3
American Parade—a Century of Celebration consists of four short pieces depicting parade holidays. As played by the West Point Army Band, “American Parade” became the subject of a documentary—of the same name—featuring the pieces performed in their entirety, then going on to explore music in the military. The entire hour-long documentary can be seen on YouTube HERE (NOTE: There is also a Concert Band version available, transcribed by West Point arranger Douglas Richard.)
St. Patrick’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc [], Piano / Strings.

“An American Cantata” is a composition by Maury Yeston for 2,000 voices and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Millennium Celebration in the Spring of the year 2000.

Composed and orchestrated by Yeston, the piece is a three-movement work that celebrates the achievement of the idea of individual liberty and equality, along with our inherent and universal entitlement to it, and the sanctity of each human life, as our civilization’s single greatest intellectual accomplishment of the past thousand years.

Sung by a Mixed Chorus, Boys Choir, and Gospel Choir; texts include excerpts from the Magna Carta, the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Memphis speech (“I have been to the mountaintop”), and original lyrics by Yeston.

COMPOSER’S NOTE: In the photo above there are about 60 in the band, 200 in the Boys and Girls choir down left, and 200 in the Gospel choir down right. Then behind the band, 800 on the left and 800 on the right … inspired by the antiphonal choirs at St. Marco Venice (Gabrielli etc,). There were about 20,000 in the audience, arrayed down towards the Washington monument. When they commissioned me to write it for 2000 voices I asked if they would want 3000 if it were the year 3000. Of course, they said yes! The use of 2000 voices was a one-time event. The piece may be performed by far fewer voices such as 90 (30+30+15+15). The term “Boys Choir” denotes the desired sound. This may absolutely be a Children’s Choir composed of boys and girls.

All three Movements of the “Cantata” can be rented as one piece, or each Movement is available to rent separately in both: (a) Full Orchestra Score and Parts version. (b) Choral and Piano Accompaniment version.
1st Movement

2st Movement

3rd Movement

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(1st=Picc), 3(3rd_EH),3(3rd=BsCl),3(3rd=ContraBsn) / 4,3,3(3rd=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Glock, Crotales, Tubular Bells, Vibes, Tri, Tamb, Piatti, Bright Sizzle Cym, SusCym, LgGong, SnDr, Tom-Toms, GC] / Harp, Full Strings / Chorus / Rhythm Section (2nd Mvt. only): Piano, ElecBs,Drs)

Composed by Ferde Grofé
INSTRUMENTATION: 3(3=Picc).2.2.2/4.3.3(3 is Bass).1/Timpani.Snare Drum.Perc(2)(Crash Cymbal, Bells).Bass Drum.Hrp/6.5.4.4.3
A piece in 4 short movements (after Ferde Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite”) At this time there is no recording of this wonderful Suite.
1. The American Falls (also being a tribute to the wonders of Hydro-Electric Power)
2. The River and the Rapids (also being a tribute to all those compelled to go over the Falls in barrels and what-not)
3. The Mist and the Rainbow (also being a tribute to the lovers and newlyweds who have visited Niagara Falls)
4. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls (also being a tribute–in the 2nd section–to the legendary “Maid of the Mist”
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Fl & Picc),2(II=Ob & EH),2,2 / 4, 3(in C),2(TenTbns),2(BsTbns),1 / Timp, Perc:[SplCym, LgCym, Bells, Vibes, Tri, SmCym, MedCym, SizzleCym, BsDr, Tri, Crotales, Tam-Tam], Harp / Strings

THANKSGIVING

“An American Cantata” is a composition by Maury Yeston for 2,000 voices and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Millennium Celebration in the Spring of the year 2000.

Composed and orchestrated by Yeston, the piece is a three-movement work that celebrates the achievement of the idea of individual liberty and equality, along with our inherent and universal entitlement to it, and the sanctity of each human life, as our civilization’s single greatest intellectual accomplishment of the past thousand years.

Sung by a Mixed Chorus, Boys Choir, and Gospel Choir; texts include excerpts from the Magna Carta, the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Memphis speech (“I have been to the mountaintop”), and original lyrics by Yeston.

COMPOSER’S NOTE: In the photo above there are about 60 in the band, 200 in the Boys and Girls choir down left, and 200 in the Gospel choir down right. Then behind the band, 800 on the left and 800 on the right … inspired by the antiphonal choirs at St. Marco Venice (Gabrielli etc,). There were about 20,000 in the audience, arrayed down towards the Washington monument. When they commissioned me to write it for 2000 voices I asked if they would want 3000 if it were the year 3000. Of course, they said yes! The use of 2000 voices was a one-time event. The piece may be performed by far fewer voices such as 90 (30+30+15+15). The term “Boys Choir” denotes the desired sound. This may absolutely be a Children’s Choir composed of boys and girls.

All three Movements of the “Cantata” can be rented as one piece, or each Movement is available to rent separately in both: (a) Full Orchestra Score and Parts version. (b) Choral and Piano Accompaniment version.
1st Movement

2st Movement

3rd Movement

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(1st=Picc), 3(3rd_EH),3(3rd=BsCl),3(3rd=ContraBsn) / 4,3,3(3rd=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Glock, Crotales, Tubular Bells, Vibes, Tri, Tamb, Piatti, Bright Sizzle Cym, SusCym, LgGong, SnDr, Tom-Toms, GC] / Harp, Full Strings / Chorus / Rhythm Section (2nd Mvt. only): Piano, ElecBs,Drs)
American Parade—a Century of Celebration consists of four short pieces depicting parade holidays. As played by the West Point Army Band, “American Parade” became the subject of a documentary—of the same name—featuring the pieces performed in their entirety, then going on to explore music in the military. The entire hour-long documentary can be seen on YouTube HERE (NOTE: There is also a Concert Band version available, transcribed by West Point arranger Douglas Richard.)
St. Patrick’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II=Ob&EH),2,2 / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc [], Piano / Strings.