Union Hymn Variants: Score
Based on "God of Our Fathers" written in 1876 by Daniel C. Roberts
By Robert Sheldon
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PR-0007136
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Description
This stunning setting by Robert Sheldon of the hymn "God of Our Fathers" is presented as a chorale prelude beginning with a mournful and powerful opening. The piece moves through several major and minor keys before its first full presentation in a traditional and quiet rendition. A development section follows, bringing the work to its final iteration featuring fanfares, flourishes, and a stirring conclusion. (5:50)
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
- Assignment, recording, and assessment tools within MakeMusic Cloud
- Piece-specific exercises focused on skills and techniques
- Educational tips and suggestions to support learning
Available in print and digital formats.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Union Hymn Variants: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band - PerformancePlus+
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007136
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers in wind band repertoire. His works appear regularly on state and national contest lists, have been heard in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls (Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and others), and continue to be commissioned by ensembles across the globe. He is the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and has received multiple awards from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP.
Sheldon maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, clinician at universities and state music education conferences, and international conductor. His appearances have taken him throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. VanderCook College of Music granted him an honorary doctorate in 2020, recognizing his sustained impact on wind band music and music education.
Why we love this
Sheldon's treatment of "God of Our Fathers" honors the hymn's reverent tradition while showcasing the full expressive range of concert band. The arc from intimate chorale prelude through key modulations to a triumphant finale gives your band genuine architectural work to build across rehearsals, and the PerformancePlus+ resources mean your students engage with the piece through focused skill-building rather than generic warm-ups.
What to expect
The piece opens with dignity and restraint, anchored by the hymn melody moving through unexpected harmonic territory. As it unfolds, the language grows richer and more assertive, building toward a conclusion that feels both earned and stirring. Throughout, there is a sense of reverence tempered by confidence.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3.5 level seeking substantial sacred music with genuine emotional depth and technical variety. This work suits groups with developing balance and intonation skills but also rewards stronger ensembles who can sculpt the dynamic and harmonic subtlety Sheldon provides.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening mournful section with consistent attention to dynamic contrast. The quiet sections only land if the full voice is heard in the development.
- Balance upper voices in the chorale statement so the hymn melody remains the anchor. Sheldon writes counterpoint here, not accompaniment.
- Approach the fanfare section with clarity in the articulation. Let the rhythmic energy drive forward without rushing the transition from the previous material.
- Use the PerformancePlus+ recording as a reference for tempo relationships across the piece, particularly the shifts between the solemn and triumphant sections.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a centerpiece for a concert celebrating American sacred traditions or as an opening statement in a mixed program. Its five-minute-fifty-second duration and intermediate difficulty make it accessible for mid-season programming, giving your ensemble time to rehearse without overwhelming the calendar.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long, supported phrases in hymn-based writing
- Maintaining intonation through modulations to multiple keys
- Balancing melody against independent countermelodic lines
- Transitioning between contrasting tempos and dynamic levels
- Creating a unified sound across ensemble sectional writing