Patriot Day

There are a couple of ways you could approach this piece. First, you could assume its purpose as a song used in remembrance of Patriot Day is enough (which it is). However, you could also make it about the music. This is a very "choral" piece when performed with all the parts. It has been written so that you don't have to do that, of course, since many of you prefer unison works. For such occasions, we generally provide coverage of the missing parts in the instrumental background so that the piece is not found lacking. But if you do have a choir and want to use the song as either a 2-part or 3-part performance piece, it offers plenty of opportunities for musical nuance and sensitivity of style. You can focus on words and meaning, phrasing and breathing, dynamics, and so on.

For the abrupt cut-off after the word "silence," the use of actual silence can be very effective. Make sure singers release with full dynamic, but in an easy manner, not clipped or chopped. This is quite doable, even with just unison voices. By the way, we provide you with both a unison and a 2-part version of this song on the recording (tracks 33 and 34) for flexibility. Additionally, we have broken out part 2 and part 3 for rehearsal purposes and put them on our web site where you and your students can access them. An a cappella version of the three vocal parts is also there, useful for learning, or just for the enjoyment of listening. (Details for accessing these free extras can be found on page 63.)

In case you didn't realize it, Patriot Day is the official name given to September 11 after the attacks on the United States on that date in 2001. (Note that this is not the same as Patriots' Day, which commemorates the start of the American Revolutionary War.) While Patriot Day is a discretionary day of remembrance, many choose to honor it with programs, services, and moments of silence. American flags are flown at half-mast. If you have observed the ceremonies on television or in person on that day, you will recognize the many things mentioned in the song, like the trumpet, drums, bagpipes, the reading of names, the tolling of the bells, and of course, the moment of silence. Our solo trumpet on the recording (played beautifully by John Rommel) evokes the spirit of that day in solemnity and respect. At the end of the piece, a distant bagpipe can be heard playing a snippet of "Amazing Grace," in honor of the fallen heroes.