Stars and Stripes: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
"You're a Grand Old Flag" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" / new lyrics and setting by Berta Poorman and Sonja Poorman
Level: Moderate
Item: 00-PO-0007651
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This wonderfully rousing, flag-waving patriotic selection comes from the creative combination of "You're a Grand Old Flag" and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." Bring your audience to its feet when you close any concert with this fun patriotic selection.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007651
More about this title
About the Composer: Berta Poorman
Berta and Sonja Poorman have spent more than two decades as a composing duo, bringing fresh arrangements and original works to choirs of all ages. Their partnership grew out of shared experience leading church choral programs, where they developed a keen sense for what singers need: music that's genuinely singable, with intelligent voice leading and lyrics that uplift rather than sentimentalize.
Accessibility is the hallmark of their work. Every piece they write lands because it respects the singers performing it, whether they're experienced ensemble members or newcomers finding their voice in a choir. Their consistent focus on positive, meaningful texts means their music leaves rehearsal rooms sounding brighter.
Why we love this
This medley taps into two of America's most recognizable melodies without feeling stale or obvious. The arrangers blend these patriotic standards into a single, cohesive piece that builds genuine excitement, and the moderate difficulty means you can program it with confidence knowing your singers will nail it under concert conditions. It's the kind of closer that actually delivers on the promise of leaving an audience energized.
What to expect
Spirited and celebratory, with the kind of straightforward joy that makes people want to stand and clap along. The melodic material is immediately familiar, which creates an almost infectious energy; your audience will recognize themselves in the music before the first phrase ends. There's real warmth beneath the brass-band swagger, rooted in genuine affection for these American standards.
Who it's for
Communities and school choirs looking for a crowd-pleasing patriotic selection that's substantial enough for a concert finale but accessible to singers with basic reading skills. Summer concert programs, July 4th events, and patriotic-themed services all have a natural home for this piece.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into a crisp, march-like tempo early in rehearsals. This piece thrives on precision, so establish that pocket before layering in the vocal lines.
- Shape the dynamic arc carefully across both melodies. Resist the urge to sing at full volume from measure one; save your biggest sound for the final statements where the two themes converge.
- Articulate the text with confidence, especially the flag-waving moments. These lyrics demand conviction, and your singers' commitment to the words will drive the piece's patriotic character home.
- Balance blend with projection. SAB voicing requires careful attention to how your soprano and alto lines sit relative to the bass. Record yourselves to check that the melody reads clearly while maintaining ensemble cohesion.
How to use it
Save this for your final piece of the evening. Its brightness and recognizable melodies make it ideal for breaking the formal concert frame and inviting audiences into the celebration. It pairs naturally with other patriotic or secular choral work, and it's sturdy enough to anchor a program's closing moments without needing another piece to follow it.
Skills your students will build
- Blending and balancing within SAB voicing
- Singing with rhythmic precision in march-influenced material
- Maintaining consistent intonation across familiar melodic lines
- Projecting text with intention and confidence
- Coordinating with recorded accompaniment