PATRIOTIC Music for Organ Tuesday, June 13, 2023
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory arr. Janet Linker
Four patriotic hymns arranged for organ. Titles include: “Eternal Father, Strong to Save, “ Faith of Our Fathers,” “God of Our Fathers,” and “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.”
America the Beautiful (Five Patriotic Pieces for Organ)
A collection of hard-to-find patriotic standards. Titles include: “National Hymn” arr. Mark Thewes; “Concert Variations on The Star Spangled Banner” arr. John Knowles Paine; “America, A Fugue in Five Voices” arr. Eugene Thayer; “Concert Variations on The Star Spangled Banner” arr. Dudley Buck; and “Fanfare on America The Beautiful” arr. Matthew H. Corl.
Two Patriotic Pieces for Organ arr. Charles Callahan
Charles Callahan has prepared two contrasting organ settings of favorite patriotic hymn tunes. “Prelude on AMERICA” (God Bless Our Native Land; My Country, ‘Tis of Thee) features four gentle variations of this stirring tune, while “Hymn Fantasia on MELITA” (Eternal Father, Strong to Save) is a vigorous and rousing interpretation of John B. Dykes’s tune.
Variations on America arr. Charles Ives
Ives wrote this piece as a teenager for solo organ, and it was published in 1949 as a result of support from E. Power Biggs, a prominent concert organist and recording artist. While orchestrations of this piece are standard for concert band and orchestra, it has also been published in many successful arrangements for instruments such as flute, trumpet, and solo piano.
Sweet Land of Liberty compiled by Kevin Wallace
The great, stirring patriotic songs serve to unite Americans in spirit and purpose. Whether celebrating our country’s heritage or commemorating the life of one who fought for it, these songs draw people across generations together. This collection includes organ arrangements of the most popular national songs and hymns alongside Lani Smith’s enlightening treatment of “In Memoriam” based on the traditional bugle call “Taps.” Titles include: “God of Our Fathers” arr. Mary McDonald, “In Memoriam” arr. Lani Smith, “I Vow to Thee, My Country” arr. Anna Laura Page, “This Is My Song” arr. Lyndell Leatherman, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” arr. Mary McDonald, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” arr. Larry Shackley, “One Nation, Under God” arr. Lani Smith, “Toccata and Fugue on the National Anthem” arr. Lothar Bandermann, “Postlude on God of the Nations” arr. Matthew McConnell, “America the Beautiful” arr. Robert W. Thygerson, “Variations on America” arr. Anthony Giamanco, “Postlude on St. Dunstan’s” arr. Douglas E. Wagner, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” arr. Mary McDonald.
An American Tribute (A Suite of Patriotic Songs) arr. Robert J. Powell
Titles include: 1. An Evening Call to Prayer (Taps (DAY IS DONE), AR HYD Y NOS, MERRIAL, TALLIS’ CANON, EVENTIDE, STILLE NACHT); 2. A Prayer for the Protection of Our Armed Forces (HESPERUS, GOD OF OUR FATHERS, MONTEZUMA, MELITA); 3. War Is the Blemish on Any Nation’s Character (MATERNA, AMERICA (NATIONAL ANTHEM/ MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE), STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC); 4. In Memoriam: The Grief of Separation Tempered by Faith and Courage (Taps (DAY IS DONE); 5. National Glory Is Restored, but Trumped by the Promise of an “International” Resurrection (EASTER HYMN (WORGAN/LYRA DAVIDICA), DUKE STREET, VICTORY (PALESTRINA), Taps (DAY IS DONE).
Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.