Good arrangement of God Bless America?

[Wes Krygsman]

Any recommendations for a good arrangement of Irving Berlin's God Bless America?

[eupher61]

watch any MLB game, you'll likely find one to avoid. And Kenny G...avoid anything by him.

hope this helps....but I know it doesn't.

[eupher61]

sorry for the double post. and it won't let me delete. grr

[scottw]

An arrangement for what type ensemble?
A terrific old band arr. is the one by, I believe, Leidzen. Excellent.

[David Richoux]

What about playing it by ear a few times, working out the (really easy) harmony - or at worst case finding it in an old songbook and taking it from there? It is hardly a challenging melody!

Also, "Teh Internets" can be your friend.

[Uncle Markie]

The Leidzen arrangement (march size) in A flat is still the most practical, and not to be played as a dirge, or with oversouling vocalists. It is still available from Irving Berlin Music in NYC - pretty sure. Check with people with older band libraries for a set of parts if that doesn't work out; the old edition has C flute/piccolo and F horn parts, and nearly every good band library has had a copy of it for many years. It does not contain the verse, which has only been ressurected since 9/11 anyway.

Berlin also published an "elementary" or simplified version (also arranged by Leidzen) which may also still be in print. Berlin was pretty protective about this piece - with good reason.

If you're doing it with a mixed voices group F is a better key.

FYI Kate Smith sang it in D-flat!

[MusikFind]

A Leidzen arrangement for band is not listed on the Berlin/Hal Leonard website.

The band arrangements for sale:
http://www.halleonard.com/search/search ... erica+band" target="_blank

The standard is now:
God Bless America®
(with opt. Chorus)
Series: Discovery Plus Concert Band
Composer: Irving Berlin
Arrangers: Paul Jennings, Joyce Eilers
$45.00 (US) HL 08724832
Exemplifying pride in our country, Irving Berlin's beloved classic continues to be the standard bearer of patriotic anthems. This concert band arrangement was designed to accompany the well-known choral arrangement by Joyce Eilers, however, it can also be effectively performed by concert band alone. Hal Leonard Corporation is proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this publication will go to the God Bless America Fund to assist victims of the September 11th terrorist attack. •08743061 SATB $1.60 •40207012 2-Part $1.50 •04490209 String Pak $35.00 •08551584 ShowTrax CD $22.95.
Please note: this item will be printed at the time of ordering and will ship in 2-3 working days.

[Three Valves]

FYI Kate Smith sang it in D-flat!

http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/kate.cgi" target="_blank" target="_blank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... VLeU50#t=0" target="_blank

[TheGoyWonder]

Star of Indiana 1992!
Don't think you can just buy it. Try "Amber Waves" by Morton Gould, but that was probably commissioned for only the drum corps purpose.

[Uncle Markie]

See my post - check around and borrow a set of the old parts and save some money. Berlin Music used to sell directly.

[aqualung]

What about playing it by ear a few times, working out the (really easy) harmony

The implied harmony on this, and many other Irving Berlin tunes, is not the correct harmony.

The Bill Moffit Soundpower arr is very functional, all you need is minimum pep band brass 3-1-2-1-1 to pull it off.

[Wes Krygsman]

I should have specified for brass quintet. That's what happens when you rush

Anyone do the Leidzen version for brass quintet? Sounds like what I am looking for.

[aqualung]

Quintet. Just get an SATB arr, and one guy sit out.

[Toobist]

I had a suggestion... But it was for God Save the Queen. Sorry. No dice.