Star Spangled Spectacular Cover Image

Star Spangled Spectacular: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$125.00 USD
Sale price  $125.00 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Star Spangled Spectacular Cover Image

Star Spangled Spectacular: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

By George M. Cohan / arr. John Cacavas

Grade: 3

Item: 36-B399602

$125.00
Shipped

One moment…

Description
George M. Cohan had a deep-seated patriotism, as evidenced in such songs as Over There, Yankee Doodle Boy, and You're a Grand Old Flag. His greatest song, Over There, was written in 1917 and was the most stirring song to come out of World War I. It was immensely popular and has become a classic among popular songs. For his patriotic songs, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Arranger John Cacavas (b. 1930) was chief arranger of the U.S. Army Band and twice won the Freedom Foundation's George Washington medal for his contributions to American music. He has taken a number of Cohan's greatest songs and put them into this “Spectacular” arrangement.

Star Spangled Spectacular: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Pages

No sample pages found.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: LudwigMasters Symphonic Band
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
UPC: 746241205506
SKU: 36-B399602
Instrumentation: Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: George M. Cohan

George M. Cohan (1878, 1942) was an American composer, playwright, and performer who became one of the most celebrated entertainers of the early 20th century. His gift for melody and his acute sense of theatrical timing made him a dominant force in vaudeville and musical theater, and his patriotic compositions became anthems of American identity during World War I and beyond.

Cohan's "Over There" (1917) stands as his masterwork, a song so immediate and rousing that it galvanized public support during the war effort and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beyond patriotic songs, Cohan was a restless innovator in music theater, often writing, directing, and starring in his own productions. His influence on American popular song and musical comedy remains substantial.

Why we love this

Cacavas's orchestration taps into what made Cohan's melodies unforgettable: immediate, singable, and emotionally direct. You get multiple standout themes in one package, which means your band plays recognizable material that audiences connect with instantly, and your students experience the satisfaction of bringing beloved Americana to life with genuine impact.

What to expect

Spirited and unabashedly celebratory. Cohan's melodies stride forward with parade-ground confidence and vintage American optimism, backed by Cacavas's expert arranging that keeps the texture clear and the energy propulsive throughout.

Who it's for

This is ideal for bands at the intermediate level seeking concert repertoire that combines accessibility with genuine musical substance. Directors looking for patriotic programming that resonates with audiences and allows students to learn strong melodic traditions will find this collection invaluable.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the brass sectionally; "Over There" can overshadow the supporting harmonies if the trumpets and trombones aren't measured. Let the melody breathe without dominating the ensemble.
  • Shape each Cohan tune distinctly. The medley works best when transitions feel intentional, not rushed. Give each melody its own character and tempo stability.
  • Tap into the visceral energy these melodies generate, your students will feel it. Encourage confident articulation and forward momentum in the brass; let that period-appropriate swagger come through.

How to use it

Program this as a concert highlight that gives audiences something they recognize and love immediately. It works especially well in patriotic-themed concerts, Veterans Day tributes, or as an energetic finale that sends listeners out with genuine goodwill.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody and accompaniment in a medley structure
  • Executing period-appropriate articulation and phrasing for early 20th-century popular song
  • Managing multiple thematic ideas with clear sectional entrances and cutoffs
  • Building ensemble cohesion through shared understanding of song form and lyrical content

You May Also Like