The Star-Spangled Banner (Duet for alto saxophone and euphonium) Alto Saxophone - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.899869

2018 Instrumental Arranging Contest Entry

Genre: National Anthem, Patriotic

Length: 1:20

Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone and Euphonium

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the then 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner". With a range of 19 semitones, it is known for being very difficult to sing. Although the poem has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.

This fun and accessible arrangement is perfect for sporting events, school and corporate functions, parades, private events and any other occasion that calls for use of the Star-Spangled Banner!

The Arranger:

Email: [email protected]

Alex Burden is a Florida born musician and music educator residing in Southwest Florida. There, he teaches band, guitar and music theory at LaBelle High School. LaBelle’s thriving jazz, concert and marching bands consistently receive the highest marks at Contest and the LHS Cowboy Band has received numerous awards under Mr. Burden’s direction, including three consecutive Grand Champion Awards at the High Noon Tournament of Bands (formerly the Heartland Marching Festival). Mr. Burden’s ensembles have performed and received “Gold” ratings at national band festivals including the 2024 Atlanta Heritage Festival and the 2025 Nashville Festival of Gold. Concurrent with his duties at LHS, he also teaches private instrumental music lessons, performs with various ensembles and is a sought after band clinician and adjudicator. He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education and the North American Saxophone Alliance. Burden holds degrees from the Bower School of Music and Eastern Florida State where he studied under world renowned saxophonists Mario Bernardo and James Bishop. During his time at the Bower School of music, he served as principle saxophonist in the FGCU Wind Orchestra, lead alto in the Jazz Band Flight: Jazz at FGCU, and played soprano saxophone in the Bower Saxophone Quartet. Alexander was selected to play tenor saxophone in the 2017 National Intercollegiate Band as well as principle alto saxophone in the 2017 Florida All-State Intercollegiate Band and tenor saxophone in the 2016 Florida All-State Intercollegiate Band. In November of 2015, Alexander participated in a critically acclaimed performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the FGCU Wind Orchestra.