The Star-Spangled Banner: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: The Star-Spangled Banner: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-47550
Price: 2.05 USD
Availability: InStock

Words by Francis Scott Key, music by John Stafford Smith / arr. Connor Warren Smith and Desmond Clark

Item: 00-47550

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$2.05

Shipped

One moment…

Here's a fresh arrangement of the national anthem that is spot on for contemporary a cappella singers! A cool combination of the traditional and the creative, this unique setting is sure to inspire and impress. Perform at concerts, assemblies, games, and events. Scattered divisi in all voice parts sharpens the fresh sonorities.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Star-Spangled Banner: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081542430

SKU: 00-47550

More about this title

About the Arranger: Connor Warren Smith

Connor Warren Smith is a composer, arranger, and performer based in Los Angeles whose work spans choral, vocal, and instrumental ensembles. His arrangements are performed by groups worldwide, from community choirs to professional ensembles. Smith earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition and a Master's Degree in Conducting from California Baptist University, where he served as Graduate Composer in Residence from 2015-2017.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith has built a multifaceted career as a session vocalist, touring artist, and vocal director. His contributions to children's music education have earned 13 Teachers' Choice, Parents' Choice, and Academics' Choice Awards. As an in-demand Los Angeles studio singer, he has recorded for Disney projects, film soundtracks, and live production shows at major theme parks. His work consistently balances accessibility with artistry, prioritizing music that engages performers and resonates with audiences.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Smith strips away the bombast without losing the gravitas. This arrangement uses divisi strategically to create modern sonorities while keeping the melody recognizable; it's neither a gimmick nor a straight reading. Choirs at any level can tackle it with confidence, and the fresh voicings make it genuinely interesting to rehearse and perform.

What to expect

Respectful but not reverent, this setting honors the anthem's iconic status while inviting singers and listeners into something fresh. The divisi writing creates moments of surprising harmonic color, giving the familiar melody new emotional texture without losing its power.

Who it's for

This octavo works for high school and adult choirs seeking a patriotic anthem with contemporary flair. Groups comfortable with divisi voicing and tight a cappella singing will find it rewarding; it's equally suited for concert programs, civic events, and holiday celebrations.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the divisi carefully by rehearsing each section separately first, then layering them together to hear how the sonorities shift and blend.
The a cappella setting means intonation carries everything; spend time locking chord qualities and tuning intervals within each divisi moment.
Breathe as an ensemble, especially at phrase boundaries, to maintain the unified energy expected at patriotic events.
Let the creative moments breathe. Don't rush into the divisi passages; allow the fresh harmonies to register with the listener.

How to use it

Open a patriotic or 4th of July concert with this, or close with it as a unifying finale. It pairs well alongside traditional arrangements in a mixed program, offering contrast through its contemporary approach. Consider programming it for school assemblies, civic ceremonies, or any event where the anthem needs to feel both reverent and alive.