America, Of Thee I Sing! Cover Image

America, Of Thee I Sing!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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America, Of Thee I Sing! Cover Image

America, Of Thee I Sing!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Music by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid

Item: 00-5808

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Description
This partner song combines "America The Beautiful" with a new melody set to the text of the "Pledge of Allegiance." Give a special listen to the SoundTrax, which features powerful brass and percussion. Perfect for all patriotic occasions. The "Pledge of Allegiance" with "America The Beautiful": an All-American combination. Staging Suggestions are featured on Sally's "Showtime!" video, Alfred #21176.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, America, Of Thee I Sing!: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081016733
SKU: 00-5808

More about this title

About the Composer: Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and initially pursued studies in English and French at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her passion for music education led her back to the classroom, where she earned a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with coursework focused on integrating the arts across the curriculum. Over thirty years, she taught general music and choir in elementary and middle schools throughout the Washoe County School District.

In 1985, Donnelly began a creative partnership with George Strid when their principal asked them to compose a musical for Reading Week. That first collaboration spawned a prolific writing team that has produced over two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. Active in ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP, Donnelly continues to shape choral repertoire for young singers.

Why we love this

The pairing of two iconic American texts creates immediate resonance without feeling forced or sentimental. Donnelly and Strid have crafted distinct melodic lines that interweave rather than compete, giving singers genuine musical interest while maintaining the gravity of both the Pledge and "America the Beautiful." The accompaniment recording captures full orchestral color, making this accessible for groups without extensive accompaniment resources.

What to expect

Earnest and celebratory, anchored by the solemnity of the Pledge while buoyed by the lyrical warmth of "America the Beautiful." The combination creates a moment of genuine civic pride without melodrama; singers feel the weight of the words alongside the uplift of the melody.

Who it's for

Elementary and middle school choirs with developing singers who benefit from straightforward 2-part writing and meaningful text. Directors seeking accessible patriotic repertoire for assemblies, holiday concerts, and civic celebrations will find this especially practical.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the Pledge melody against "America the Beautiful" by having singers mark their part's text clearly; both lines deserve equal clarity and presence.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to establish the tempo and harmonic foundation, then gradually reduce reliance on it as ensemble security grows.
  • Shape the text of the Pledge with natural speech phrasing rather than strict metric articulation; let the new melody support the words' significance.
  • Consult the Showtime! video referenced in the octavo for staging and movement ideas that enhance the patriotic context without overshadowing the music.

How to use it

Schedule this for summer concerts, Independence Day observances, or school assemblies where patriotic content is expected. Its brevity and accessibility make it ideal as a concluding statement in a concert program, especially when paired with instrumental patriotic pieces or other choral selections that allow younger singers to shine.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing two independent melodic lines simultaneously (partner song technique)
  • Maintaining textual clarity when layering two different texts
  • Understanding harmonic interaction and blend in a 2-part voicing
  • Performing with recorded accompaniment and responding to orchestral context
  • Connecting musical expression to civic and patriotic meaning

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