American Dream: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Laurie Hochman / Arranged by Larry Hochman
Item: 35-PK00419736
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Description
America has, for hundreds of years, been a country built on tradition, the most powerful of which may be the hope that their children might have a better life. Father/daughter songwriting team Laurie and Larry Hochman have created a tribute to the American dream that connects the past, present and future, framed with the treasured "America the Beautiful." Ideal for schools and community concerts for all levels!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00419736
More about this title
About the Artist: Laurie Hochman
Laurie Hochman brings a songwriter's sensibility to choral music, collaborating with her father Larry Hochman on compositions that blend accessibility with emotional depth. Together, they have created works that speak directly to singers and audiences alike, grounding contemporary themes in musical traditions that resonate across generations.
As a composer and artist, Laurie understands what it takes to move both performers and listeners. Her work in this piece exemplifies how personal stories and national narratives can intersect through music.
Why we love this
This work respects your singers' intelligence while remaining genuinely singable at all levels. The framing device of "America the Beautiful" provides musical and emotional scaffolding that lets the piece feel substantial without requiring advanced vocal technique, making it a rare find for programs where you need something that lands with both middle school voices and accomplished singers.
What to expect
The piece carries the weight of hope without sentimentality. It honors the traditions that frame the American experience while making space for honest reflection about aspiration, heritage, and what it means to invest in the future.
Who it's for
Programs serving mixed ensembles at all levels who need repertoire that works for both school concerts and community events. This is ideal when you're looking for patriotic material that avoids cliché and offers genuine musical substance alongside accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the relationship between the choral writing and instrumental accompaniment by rehearsing sections with and without the tracks. This helps singers own their lines rather than disappearing into the arrangement.
- Attend to the text's narrative arc across the piece. The song moves through generational perspectives, so shape phrases with that storytelling in mind rather than treating each section as isolated.
- Let the familiar melody of "America the Beautiful" anchor your interpretation. When that theme returns or is woven back in, the emotional payoff depends on singers understanding its role as both anchor and reflection.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece or finale, particularly for spring performances or events celebrating community and shared values. The connection to "America the Beautiful" makes it especially appropriate for patriotic observances or end-of-year celebrations that need to feel both personal and universal.
Skills your students will build
- Connecting lyrical text to musical phrasing across multiple sections
- Balancing ensemble singing with instrumental accompaniment
- Interpreting familiar melodies in new harmonic contexts
- Sustaining focus across a longer narrative arc