"American Folk Song Fantasy I", features five well-known songs, "Turkey in the Straw", "Home on the Range", "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", "Red River Valley", and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in a great concert piece.
1. Turkey in the Straw: Folk song that gained popularity in the early 19th century. In this arrangement, the melody is passed from part to part, but the key is changed and repeated twice.
2. Home on the Range: While considered a folk song, it has a songwriter and composer. Lyrics were penned by Brewster M. Higley, a Kansas poet, published in 1873 by Higley's friend Daniel E. Kelly. The state of Kansas officially designated this as the state song in June 1947. The first scene is a solo for any instrument on Part 4. Depending on the size and organization of the band, it may be best to reduce the number of accompaniment players.
3. Old MacDonald Had a Farm: One of the traditional nursery rhymes (Mother Goose).It is popular with various parody songs. Here I imagined a march approaching from a distance and passing by. I think the solo of Part 5 is interesting even if you change the instrument along the way.
4. Red River Valley: A song by a woman who cares for her departing lover.
The "Red River" is a tributary of the Mississippi River that flows along the state border between Texas and Oklahoma. Other parts quietly support the solo (varied instruments) of part 1, and the rhythm of the march can still be heard in the background.
5. Battle Hymn of the Republic:
Originally it was a very patriotic Union march in the Civil War.
The marching song that had gone away changed form and returns, building to a strong conclusion..
The entire band is divided into 6 parts including percussion, and each part can freely select specified instruments and play in various combinations.
It's not always necessary to perform with all instruments, and it's also interesting to change the sound by varying population and instrument types, or creating a solo features.
(Yo Goto)
