Amazing Grace

This arrangement of "Amazing Grace" was originally requested by the director of the Bonsal Blues Community Band located in southern New Jersey. It was requested that each section in the ensemble would have features and segments of the melody before the whole band plays together. In the original commission, it was also requested that the tune would be arranged to be accessible enough to serve as a warm-up. The music is not extremely challenging, but the piece is written with an opportunity to teach and perform proper phrasing, dynamic contrast, tuning from section to section, and good tone. "Amazing Grace" was originally written by John Newton, who for a portion of his life served as a captain of a slave trading ship. He later became a priest and an abolitionist and wrote "Amazing Grace" about the grace and mercy of God, despite the terrible things he had done in his past. Now "Amazing Grace" has become one of the most famous hymns in America, especially played for those who have recently passed away. Though it was not originally intended to be dedicated to anyone specific, it is no coincidence that the arrangement is 66 measures long. Elijah Spadea's grandmother, Jeanette Spadea, passed away at the premature age of 66. This arrangement has 65 measures, and a final measure of pure silence. This makes the piece 66 measures long, a measure representing each year of her life- the final measure symbolizing the last year and eternal peace.