Lift Every Voice and Sing, for tuba-euphonium octet

Chamber musicTuba-EuphoniumArrangement
Written By Ashley Killam

Instrumentation: tuba euphonium octet (euphonium 1-4, tuba 1-4)

Year Composed: 2020

Duration: 3’

Premiered September 2020 (virtual) by the COVID-19 Black All-Star Ensemble

Program Notes:

Lift Every Voice and Sing is considered the American Black National Anthem. It was originally composed by J. Rosamond Johnson and the lyrics written by James Weldon Johnson. This arrangement was written as the finale for my COVID-19 Black All-Star Ensemble project during the summer of 2020 (June-October). In its virtual premiere, it featured over 25 Black tuba and euphonium players around the US. The arrangement includes elements of fanfare to set up the anthem and features different sections of the ensemble.

Ashley Killam
Previous

In the Bottoms Suite, for tuba-euphonium octet
Next

In the Bottoms: Introduction and Juba Dance, for wind band