Battle Cry for Freedom, The (Root)

An arrangement one of the most popular songs during the American Civil War, Noah D. Taylor's, The Battle Cry for Freedom is sure to inspire patriotic spirit. This dramatic work is tuneful, yet features "rousingly" aggressive writing with a modern march sound.

Program Notes

Originally composed by American composer George Frederick Root in 1862, "The Battle Cry of Freedom" captured the patriotic spirit of the Union during American Civil War. It became so popular that composer H. L. Schreiner and lyricist W. H. Barnes adapted it for the Confederate States of America. President Lincoln was also moved by the version of this song, so it was used as the campaign theme song for the Lincoln-Johnson ticket in the 1864 presidential election.

This modern adaption of this historic song is meant to reignite the patriot spirit of the listener. I chose to alter the title of the song from "Battle Cry of Freedom" to "Battle Cry For Freedom" to give the piece a more dramatic title. I think 'for' is a more powerful preposition that matches the spirit of the song. I have always been influenced by American classical and film composers, so it felt only natural to arrange this piece with a modern, but strikingly 'American' sound.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2015
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 5:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Programming: Patriotic
Category: Concert Band

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
Clarinet 1
Clarinet 2
Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba
Piano
Harp

Timpani (4)
Percussion 1 [2 Players] (Snare Drum, Bass Drum)
Percussion 2 (Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals)
Mallet Percussion (Bells, Chimes)