Description

With optional Chorus, the piece begins with a haunting retelling of Glory, Glory Hallelujah. It moves quickly to a dramatic impact, then moves into America the Beautiful. The piece builds and ends dramatically. So many arrangements of these pieces have been done. I wanted to do one that would offer another take on America... the Brave!

Please visit the Score and Score Notes for more detailed information.

This piece is from the STORMWORKS Chapter 1 CD.

"Yesterday, while awaiting our area honor band audition startup, I was getting some paperwork done and listening to my StormPod. (What a wonderful tool that is!)

At one point in my teaching career, I considered the Carmen Dragon setting of "America the Beautiful" and Luigi Zaninelli's "Star-Spangled Banner" to be the benchmarks of patriotic music for band.

The bar has been raised with your treatments of some of our nation's cherished music. Only someone with a passion for this country could express what you have in "America the Brave", "Star", "God Bless America" and others, most especially, That We Might Live.

I don't think I've ever told you before how much I appreciate hearing, no,
make that experiencing, those pieces. Thank you so very much!" Tom Tapscott, OSD

" Steve, Wanted to let you know that the Lowcountry Community Band presented a Veteran's Day program in South Carolina last evening. On the program for the second time was America the Brave. Our first rendering was in May (11 weeks after the band was formed) and was received with passion, tears and wondrous applause.
 
The Band has progressed well in the intervening months and was even more ready to render America the Brave. I can tell you that before the final chord was released, the audience was on their feet and applauding enthusiastically. The band - and I - were overwhelmed by the response . . . though not surprised, given the writing and the amazing performance by the band. On the way home, Sheila said to me, "Steve would have been proud of this performance of his work." I could not agree more. It was all I could have hoped for at this point in our musical development.
 
I now have the "task" (and a happy one it is) to select more works from the Stormworks library. The band - and now our audiences - will demand it.
 
Thanks to you for providing us with the opportunity to introduce your music to a welcoming ensemble and audience in South Carolina. When the day comes that I believe we are truly ready, I hope you will be able to come to work with this ensemble and listen to the commitment the band is making to your music. We are moving steadily toward that day. Godspeed and Thanks." Don Jemella