TubeNet

A lot has been said about our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, over the years. One being that it is almost impossible to sing well. Many have tried to have it changed to something else. Personally I like it because it is unique. Some like it performed more traditionally in military style while some like to try squeeze more emotion out of it. So, what is your favorite version of the "Star Spangled Banner"? There should be two categories for this discussion... best arrangement... and best performance.

My vote goes to the version arranged by Marvin Branson for the California State University Long Beach "Big Brown Music Machine" marching band back in 1973. The first time I heard their 200 member band play it I got goose bumps all over and my eyes teared up. Later I got to perform it with them as a member of the band. For me this is both the best arrangement and performance. A close second for me in performance would be Whitney Houston at the Super Bowl in 1991.

Long Beach State - The National Anthem - mp3 (4.3 MB)

What is your favorite?

My favorite is the original of "To Anacreon in Heaven."
http://www.colonialmusic.org/Resource/Anacreon.htm" target="_blank
It is ironic that the most common place our National Anthem is now sung is at the beginning of sports events, which, exactly as Ralph Tomlinson envisioned in his original lyrics, have much music, pretty girls, and imbibing of alcohol as the fans of the respective teams and participants gather, whether at the sporting event venue, or any number of other establishments or homes, in convivial celebration of the event.

This one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM55mON1BPM" target="_blank

One might think it was automatic as the Anthem, but not so much: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner" target="_blank

One of my favorites. There are others, all of which are played straight by military bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAyquyvlE4c" target="_blank

Ace

John Williams recently came out with a new arrangement to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Our community band started playing (the band arr) of this last season. It has a lot fun low brass parts in it.

SSB with orchestra:

Band Arr on JWPepper:

Our local Lincoln Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Edward Polochick who commutes from Baltimore where the SSB's lyrics were composed. The Orchestra's 'Cinematic Serenade' concert yesterday evening combined the opening and closing numbers with the 300 strong Cornhusker Marching Band. The opening number, after the obligatory and also combined 'Also Sprach Zarasthustra', was a combined orchestral and band rendition of the SSB with an audience singalong. The Band's brass were standing on risers behind the orchestra while the overflowing woodwinds lined the aisles. The volume was unreal, but it was definitely a 'goose bump moment'. I don't have a copy of the arrangement nor can I point to a recording. Maestro Polochick introduced the number with a reference to the Baltimore SSB bicentenial celebration and a Blue Angel's flyover while he was studying at home Friday that left him thinking at first that some disaster was afoot.

I wish I had had the presence of mind to use my phone to grab the performance since copyright restrictions wouldn't have applied.