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An Educators Guide to the Music of Aaron Copland

Reference Recordings

The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus have released two reference recordings, entitled The Legacy of Aaron Copland. The accompanying 32-page booklets, which include a biography of Copland, historical photographs, and detailed program notes, are now available on our website.
 
The Legacy of Aaron Copland
(Concert Band)
click to view booklet (471K)

The CD booklet can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat.

A Copland Biography

Program Notes:

    Variations on a Shaker Melody

    Down a Country Lane

    Ceremonial Fanfare

    Preamble for a Solemn Occasion

    Waltz and Celebration from Billy the Kid

    An Outdoor Overture

    Emblems

    Lincoln Portrait

    Suite from The Red Pony
The Legacy of Aaron Copland
(Soldiers' Chorus)

click to view booklet (569K)

The CD booklet can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat.

A Copland Biography

Program Notes:

Selections from The Tender Land
Stomp Your Foot
The Promise of Living
Lark

Old American Songs: Set One
The Boatmen's Dance
The Dodger
Long Time Ago
Simple Gifts
I Bought Me a Cat

Four Motets
Help Us, O Lord
Thou, O Jehovah, Abideth Forever
Have Mercy on Us, O My Lord
Sing Ye Praises to Our King

Las Agachadas

Old American Songs: Set Two
The Little Horses
Zion's Walls
The Golden Willow Tree
At the River
Ching-a-Ring Chaw

Canticle of Freedom


Reference Materials

Copland Repertoire for Concert Band and Wind Ensemble - webpage - pdf

Copland Repertoire for Chorus - webpage - pdf

Copland Websites and Links - webpage - pdf

Performance Tips and Techniques

For each of the Aaron Copland compositions which the Field Band has performed, the Concert Band has assembled a list of performance suggestions from each section. These include altered articulations, part editing, errata, and recommendations to improve balance.

General performance tips and techniques for the band music of Aaron Copland. - webpage - pdf

At the present time, these include the following compositions:

Ceremonial Fanfare - webpage - pdf
Emblems - webpage - pdf
Hoe Down from Rodeo - webpage - pdf
Inaugural Fanfare - webpage - pdf
Lincoln Portrait - webpage - pdf
An Outdoor Overture - webpage - pdf
Preamble for a Solemn Occasion - webpage - pdf
The Red Pony - webpage - pdf
Variations on a Shaker Melody - webpage - pdf
Waltz and Celebration from Billy the Kid - webpage - pdf

These resources are available as either html webpages or Adobe Acrobat pdf (portable document format) files. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pdf files. If it is not already installed on your computer, it is available for free from www.adobe.com.