Risk of Freedom, The

With original patriotic text by the composer, The Risk of Freedom is a unique work for narrator and band that is perfect for your next themed concert.

Genre: Narrator with Band | # of Players: Standard + 1
Level: 4 | Duration: 5:00

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1/3
F Horn 2/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Baritone B.C.
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, crash cymbals, tam-tam, finger cymbals)
Percussion 3 (bells)
Percussion 4 (vibraphone)

Reader

Program Notes
I Remember...
In the mists of time when tyrants ruled and freedom's hopes were dashed and worn.

I Remember...
That a few courageous men stood up and took up their pens and wrote immortal words: "We, the people..." and "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

I Remember...
Words alone don't make a nation. And your father and his father back to the time of independence fought and bled for freedom's sake.

I Remember...
This nation, America, founded on ideas instead of a lineage of Kings, pulled itself out of the mire of the old ways to brave the new. Our dedicated right to seek happiness is such a rare idea that many on this troubled earth can barely comprehend it.

I Remember...
That all are created equal.
That liberty is a creator-endowed right for all instead of the privileged few.
These things are the very blinding power of America.
This power, wielded by a free people, is a grave responsibility and not to be taken lightly.
A power that eternal vigilance must secure in order for the race of man to fulfill its promise of beauty, strength, honor, and decency.

I Remember...
A free people, the farmer and the businessman, the priest and the plumber, the artist and the teacher, that even in the face of unimaginable dangers risj standing honorably as one nation.
To live free is a fundamental risk of a decent human life.
Founders of our republic wisely stated that those who would trade freedom for security deserve neither.

The risk of freedom is that some must die fighting to preserve it. The risk of freedom is that it will only be remembered and not lived. Bring your heart and your mind with you to freedom's table and we shall feast at the eternal dawn of the best endeavors of man.

- Reber Clark