Volume 1 of our Patriotic collection contains four classic patriotic tunes and three complete Sousa marches. Altogether this has 15 minutes of music that both you and your audience are sure to love.

These arrangements can be played with anywhere from 3 to 7 parts, suitable for a small chamber group, accompaniment for a choir, or a full band or orchestra (school, community, or professional). This is one of the most versatile collections you'll ever use!

To demonstrate the flexibility of this collection, the audio clip has "America the Beautiful" performed as a full concert band, a string orchestra, and a woodwind trio.


The songs included in Volume 1 are:

The Star-Spangled Banner (US National Anthem), by John Stafford Smith.
America the Beautiful, by Samuel Ward.
Battle Hymn of the Republic ("Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory").
My Country, 'Tis of Thee ("America", known as "God Save the King/Queen" in England).
Stars and Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa.
Washington Post March, by John Philip Sousa.
Semper Fidelis, by John Philip Sousa.


These songs are also available separately through the publisher link above.

Each song is in its original key, so it is easy to combine these with your own choir or piano/organ parts.

This collection contains a full score, as well as individual parts in all the appropriate clef and transposition to support the following ensembles:

Brass trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet.
Woodwind trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet.
String trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet.
Clarinet trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet.
Saxophone trio, quartet, and quintet.
Mixed trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet, with optional percussion.
Wind ensemble, brass ensemble, string orchestra, full orchestra, and full band.


The parts are described as follows:

Part 1 [D4-Ab5] is the main melody. Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Violin, Viola.
Part 2 [G3-Eb5] has some B-section melody and harmony. Bb Clarinet, Alto/Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, French Horn, Bb Trumpet, Violin, Viola.
Part 3 [G3-Bb4] is additional harmony. Bb Clarinet, Alto/Bass Clarinet, Alto/Tenor Saxophone, French Horn, Bb Trumpet, Baritone, Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Violin, Viola, Cello.
Part 4 [F2-C4] is the main bass line. Bass Clarinet, Baritone/Bass Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Cello, Bass.
Part 5 [E2-C4] is other harmony. Bass Clarinet, Bass Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Cello, Bass.
Part 6 [E2-F4] is the main melody down an octave, with some additional notes. Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Cello, Bass.
Part 7 is an optional percussion part (snare drum, cymbal, bass drum) that can be added to any of the above combinations, or skipped entirely.

We recommend the following combinations:

Trio: Parts 1, 2, 4 (4 works better than 3 for trio).
Quartet: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4.
Quintet: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Sextet: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Septet: Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Be sure to also check out our three volumes of Christmas Carols for All!

"Down to the River to Pray" (also known as "Down in the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," and "The Good Old Way") is a 19th-century American folk hymn variously attributed as an African-American spiritual/slave song, Appalachian song, and gospel song. In recent years, it was popularized in the 2000 motion picture, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," and by folk/bluegrass performer Alison Kraus.

In this arrangement, the first three presentations, or verses, of the pentatonic tune employ simple, traditional harmony and limited instrumentation, evoking the simplicity of folk-singing style. Verse 4 is characterized by a direct key change up a fourth (from concert Eb to Ab) and more active harmonies. After a short, two-bar modulation up one more step to Bb major, the final verse begins with rising parallel harmonies under the melody in trumpet 1, and continues with more contemporary harmonies. The piece concludes with a simple "Amen"-like ending.

©2019 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

Eighteenth-centuryBaptist minister, scholar, and hymn-writer Robert Robinson(1735-1790) wrote the hymn text, ?Come Thou Fount of EveryBlessing? in 1757 at the age of 22. Inthe USA, Robinson's hymn is typically set to the tune ?Nettleton,?whose authorship is unclear. Some attribute it to printer John Wyeth,who published it in his Repositoryof Sacred Music, Part Second(1813);others attribute it to Asahel Nettletion, a popular evangelist of theearly nineteenth century who published VillageHymns(1825).However, VillageHymnscontainedtexts only and no music, so there is no evidence that Nettletonactually wrote the tune that carries his name. Suitable for high school to professional ensembles for use in concert, recital, and worship, this intermediate-level arrangement presents the tune straightforwardly tobegin, then follows with a lyrical variation in 4/4 time, a variationin 5/8, and a concluding march. Fullscore and parts, 8.5x11-inch format. ©Copyright 2010 ToddMarchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

Samuel Augustus Ward (1848-1903), composer and organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Newark, New Jersey, composed his tune ?MTERNA? to accompany the hymn text ?O Mother Dear, Jerusalem? in 1882, and it was first published in 1892. Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929), poet and teacher, wrote the poem ?Pikes Peak? during a visit to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1893, and it was published under the title ?America? in the church periodical, The Congregationalist, in 1893. Bates's poem, which she revised in 1904 and 1913, was first published with Ward's music in 1910 under the title ?America the Beautiful.? Samuel Ward never met Katherine Bates, having died in 1903; yet ?America the Beautiful? has become one of the best-loved American patriotic songs. This very accessible yet effective arrangement features an introductory fanfare followed by a straightforward presentation of the tune, a return of the fanfare and modulation to new key with extended harmonies, and a concluding return of the fanfare. ©Copyright 2014 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

?The Morning Trumpet,? by Benjamin Franklin White (1800-1879), is a camp revival song published in 1844 in the first edition of The Sacred Harp, a shape-note hymn book compiled by White and E.J. King (1821-1844). Shape-note tunes are often predominantly pentatonic, with harmonies that emphasize stark intervals of fourths and fifths. In four-part harmony, the tune is typically in the tenor voice. This arrangement preserves the tune but harmonizes it in a more contemporary style, and features alternating calls between first and second trumpet. Includes snare drum part (optional, may be successfully performed by brass quintet alone). ©Copyright 2012 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

This traditional American tune has been arranged for flute trio. All three flutes have a turn at playing the melody while the other two harmonize. The arrangement starts in G major then moves to C major. Ideal for middle and high school players and also in any church worship service where this hymn is used. The full score includes three individual parts and some slurring has been added to the score, but as always, the slurring is suggested and you can use tour discretion to achieve the musical result you desire. See also my other flute trios on SMP.

?An American Folk Hymn Medley? brings together three 19th-century shape-note tunes in a contemporary setting for brass quintet. HOLY MANNA is popularly known as ?Brethren We Have Met to Worship? from its association with a text by Methodist clergyman George Atkins (1793-1827). It was first published in Columbian Harmony, a shape-note tune book, in 1829, and is attributed to William Moore, the publisher. RESTORATION, first published in William Walker?s 1835 shape-note hymnal, Southern Harmony, was later renamed ARISE from its association with a text by Joseph Hart (1712-1768) in which the chorus begins ?I will arise and go to Jesus?.? PLEADING SAVIOR, published in Joshua Leavitt?s 1830 compilation The Christian Lyre, is today best-known in many churches as the accompaniment to the text ?Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly.? In this arrangement, the similar tunes HOLY MANNA and PLEADING SAVIOR, both in major tonality and 8.7.8.7 poetic meter, frame the contrasting minor tonality tune, RESTORATION. Contrasting instrument textures, keys, and tempi, and a mix of both traditional and contemporary harmonies breathe a fresh spirit into these venerable tunes.

ISBN 9781609746124. Selections include: You're a Grand Old Flag; America, the Beautiful; The Marines' Hymn; The Caisson Song; I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy; America; The Star Spangled Banner; and Battle Hymn of the Republic. Lyrics are provided for each tune.

ISBN 9781610651073. These solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements cover a wide spectrum of American music. They include early hymns of the pilgrims, American Revolutionary war tunes, British folk ballads that later became colonial pop songs, sea chanteys, spirituals, Civil War tunes, pioneer frontier ballads, military hymns, and songs of patriotism. They were selected for their heartfelt melodies and their adaptability for solo instrumental guitar. While these arrangements seek to tap the rich polyphonic nature of the guitar, players of all levels will enjoy them and be richly rewarded with the music that is unleashed here. This collection offers an extensively researched musical snapshot of early America and a reminder of the amazing heritage of this great country. Written in standard notation and tablature

ISBN 9781619111226. The purpose of this Trumpet songbook is to provide the beginning Trumpet player with a repertoire of 24 of the most familiar and beloved tunes ever written. There are several great folk songs of America and other lands. They continue to bring pleasure and knowledge as a link to the past. All the songs are written specifically for Trumpet utilizing dynamics, expression markings, and articulations. Key signatures for the songs are in a comfortable range suitable for the beginning Trumpet player. Guitar chord symbols appear above each melody; however, the chords may be played by banjo, ukulele, autoharp, and chord organ. Note: Chord Symbols are in Concert KeyIncluded are: Irish Songs, Folk Songs, American Hymns, Spirituals, and Classics. This song book is an ideal supplement to any beginning Trumpet method Book. All the songs are appropriate for performance at concerts, recitals, and contests.

ISBN 9781619111318. The purpose of this cellist songbook is to provide the beginning cellist with a repertoire of 24 of the most familiar and beloved tunes ever written. There are several great folk songs of America and other lands. They continue to bring pleasure and knowledge as a link to the past. All the songs are written specifically for cello utilizing dynamics, expression markings, and articulations. Key signatures for the songs are in a comfortable range suitable for the beginning cellist. Guitar chord symbols appear above each melody; however, the chords may be played by banjo, ukulele, autoharp, and chord organ. Included are: Irish Songs, Folk Songs, American Hymns, Spirituals, and Classics. This song book is an ideal supplement to "Cello Method" (MB96459) published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. All the songs are appropriate for performance at concerts, recitals, and contests.

ISBN 9781609741792. Early American Roots, a companion book to HESPERUS' CD of the same name, presents a cross section of popular instrumental music from the English Colonies and early Federal America; divisions, shape note hymns, country dances and cotillions, arranged for the recorder. When America was still a colony, music in the New World was a welcome link to the settlers' original home; England, Holland, France, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. During the 18th century, as the colonies became independent from England, their music reflected this new freedom in its unusual textures and dissonances. Recorders and flageolets (the wooden predecessor to the tin pennywhistle) were easily carried about and made excellent solo instruments for both the new and old styles of music. They arrived in the New World in pockets, packs and bundles. Scott Reiss, the "mind boggling" recorder player and HESPERUS' co-director, arranges all the tunes on the CD for recorders, writing down every improvised ornament, slur and counter melody. Use this book as a technical study guide as well as a source of performing and arranging ideas. An invaluable guide to a little-known, but lively repertoire.