Teaching Resources
Composer's comments regarding Alternate Key
The entire piece has been re-done to make the key more accessible by a wider range of schools.
It has been changed from starting in C and moving to D, to beginning in Bb and moving to C.
Originally, the thought was that the younger choirs (with higher voices) and the orchestra students needed higher keys for voice range and string playability.
The bands, of course would need to play in their respective keys to match, which proved daunting for some groups.
I believe the strings will perform well in Bb and C.
New recordings will be provided as soon as possible, including the new karaoke version for the younger singers to sing along with.
Audio & Performance Notes
- If performing with Choir and accompaniment track, download the accompaniment track entitled: "Karaoke Begins at m19 for Performance."
The accompaniment track should be started after the Benjamin Franklin Narrator says "Mr. Hancock...if you please."
On this track, you will hear the full band and orchestra parts.
The basic piano part should be used to play the first 18 measures to ensure the narrators have the needed time to deliver their narrations before the music begins and then in each of the fermata measures.
Again, this "karaoke" accompaniment track for the choir to sing with begins after the opening exchange between the narrators and choir at measure 19.
- In rehearsing the choir to sing with the above track for performance, download the accompaniment track entitled: "Full Karaoke begins m1 for Choir Rehearsal."
- To simply listen to an audio file of the entire performance of the piece including voices of the Manhattan High School Choir Students,
download the audio track entitled: "Full Recording featuring Manhattan HS Chorus."
When using the karaoke version that starts at m19, a live pianist will be needed to play the parts at the beginning (measure 1-18) when there is interplay between the narrators and the choir.
The rehearsal choir karaoke file does not include the long pauses for the narrators to speak—it's just a measure of silence.
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Original Key
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Alternate Key
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| Full Recording featuring Manhattan HS Chorus |
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| Karaoke begins m.1 for Choir Rehearsal |
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| Karaoke begins m.19 for Choir Performance |
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