Amazing Grace Fanfare

Although it's known around the world and sung by Believers everywhere, this arrangement of Amazing Grace approaches the hymn from a totally different style. It was written for Nashville Praise Symphony as a concert opener, so it is high energy and driving from the get-go. I chose this song because it's so familiar and connects with the people immediately. 

Normally this hymn is sung in 3/4 time, but this arrangement is in a driving 12/8 rhythm. I chose this meter because I love the incredible forward motion that it gives the music. I also chose to write some original music to precede the statement of the melody of Amazing Grace. The new material is actually in a minor key, which is not the norm for this song, and is stated by the french horns first. 

That statement is then followed by the trumpets playing the same melody. After what seems to be a sudden stop in the music, the melody of Amazing Grace suddenly appears in the piccolo. The arrangement progresses and comes back to the minor material and moves into a grand filmesque statement of Amazing Grace, ending with a fortissimo conclusion.

I still enjoy listening to this arrangement because of the variety of melodic material contained in it and the energy that it brings. Many orchestras around the country have enjoyed playing this dynamic orchestra piece!