Title
Emblems
For
symphonic band
Year Composed
1964
Scoring
2.picc.2.Ebcl.bcl.cbcl.2.2.asax.tsax.barsax-4.2.3crt.4.2-db
ARCO Number(s)
85
Category
Band
Duration
11'
Premiere
  • World: Tempe, AZ, December 18th, 1964 (Trojan Band of the University of Southern California, cond. William Schaefer)
Commission Info
Keith Wilson and the College Band Directors National Association
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published
Arrangements
Emblems (for orchestra) (arr. D. Wilson Ochoa)

Program Note

In 1964 Keith Wilson, president of the College Band Directors National Association asked the composer for a work to be played at the organization's national convention. The premiere was by the USC band. "Amazing Grace" can be heard in the slow sections at the beginning and end of the piece. Copland said, "Curiously, the harmonies had been conceived without reference to the tune. It was only by chance perusal of an anthology of tunes that I realized a connection between my harmonies and "Amazing Grace!"

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998