Arlington (Where Giants Lie Sleeping): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Murtha crafts a genuinely moving arc here without resorting to bombast or sentimentality. The orchestration allows each section to shine during the hymn statements, and the offstage trumpet framing creates a distinctive sonic texture that students will remember long after the concert ends.

Austere and contemplative at first, with the offstage trumpets creating an almost ghostly presence. As the familiar hymns enter, the piece settles into something deeply reverent; the heroic climax swells with affirmation before the music returns to its opening quietude, leaving listeners in a state of quiet reflection.

Concert bands at the Grade 4 level with secure fundamentals and the ability to balance transparent textures. Directors looking for a substantive patriotic work that honors sacrifice without veering into oversimplification will find this a natural fit for memorial services, Veterans Day concerts, or Independence Day celebrations.

• Balance the offstage trumpet opening so it carries presence without overwhelming the hall. Have those players rehearse away from the main ensemble to ensure they hear each other clearly.
• Shape the "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" passage with subtle dynamic swells rather than rigid phrase breaks; let the melody breathe as if singers were performing it.
• Bring the heroic climax to full volume gradually rather than jumping suddenly. The piece earns its power through accumulation, so use the final thirty seconds of build to maximum effect.
• Return to the reflective section with a marked tempo adjustment and softer dynamic. The contrast between climax and denouement relies on clear differentiation.

Program this as a featured work in a concert honoring service and sacrifice rather than as background music. Pair it with lighter patriotic selections or contemporary pieces to create programming that explores what patriotism means beyond the obvious; the piece rewards an audience that has time to sit with its emotional content.

• Balancing independent offstage sections with the main ensemble
• Shaping long melodic lines across phrase boundaries
• Dynamic contrast and gradual climax building
• Ensemble blend during quiet, reverent passages
• Stylistic interpretation of familiar hymn melodies