“A Changed Anthem” was initially started and written in the days following September 11, 2001. In 2005 it was selected for the NBA Young Composer Mentor Project sponsored by Bands of America.
Since then the piece has undergone many changes and revisions. The Illinois State University Wind Symphony directed by Dr. Steve Steele were kind enough to rehearse and record the 2008 revision of the piece. A recording of this revision can be heard at http://www.fitzpatrickmusic.net/MP3_for_Index/Changed_Anthem2008.mp3
The old version can still be heard on my main site and will remain there for comparison. Please take a listen and share any thoughts or feels that you have while listening to the piece. Additionally, questions about the work are always welcome.
PROGRAM NOTE
On September 11, 2001, our nation was forever changed by the tragic terrorist attacks on the world trade center in New York City. Every person was affected or touched by this event in some way. Composition of “A Changed Anthem” began on September 12, the day following those terrible events. The inspiration came after seeing a large group of people come together to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” which served as the seed for the entire composition. This anthem is broken into fragments that are eventually put back together as the piece progresses as an illustration of the gathering sense of unity experienced after the attacks. When the familiar theme is heard in its entirety it is “changed,” incorporating a darker sound than one familiar with the tune would expect. This piece is not only about changing a well-known tune; but it is also about how America was forever changed by the events of that day.
“A Changed Anthem” is comprised of three sections. These sections loosely depict the events of September 11. The piece begins with a calm, unsuspecting sound. Nothing clues the listener in to where the piece may go next. Then the piece suddenly shifts into a fast, aggressive, and dissonant section depicting the first attack itself. This section goes by quickly and returns to a somber reflective sound. Apprehension is communicated through the soft transparent sounds of the woodwinds and percussion, while the brass depicts the hope of a nation raising to the occasion and pulling itself out the destructive attacks. This is where “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” is heard in its most complete version. The work then slowly fades to a quiet conclusion, depicting a silent optimism. The piece concludes sounding almost unfinished at the end, in an attempt to show that our nation still has much recovery and growth to experience after the events of September 11, 2001.
“A Changed Anthem” has undergone several significant revisions since the premiere of the original version in 2005. That is due to more time having passed, and my perceptions of the events of the day changing over this period of time.
~Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick 2008
