“It sounds so beautiful and I’m so excited to be a part of it!”
That’s what Kelly Clarkson said to “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band following rehearsal at Marine Barracks Annex on Saturday, Jan. 19. The moving setting of “America” (My Country Tis of Thee), which Clarkson will perform during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Inauguration Day, was arranged by Clarkson, her music director Jason Halbert, and Marine Band arranger Staff Sergeant Ryan Nowlin.
“We wrote the arrangement to follow her soulful interpretation of the melody,” Nowlin said. “The work has several meter changes and is deeply reverent and bleeds of love of country,” he continued.
There are no key changes through all three verses in the key of A, and Clarkson asked specifically for a snare rudimental solo to start in the second verse. In a nod to the fallen, Nowlin inserted an impression of “Taps” into the third verse.
Prior to leaving the Annex, Clarkson asked Nowlin for a copy of the arrangement to frame for her studio. On hearing her sing the arrangement he worked on so diligently, Nowlin said, “It was really special. I was really inspired by her performance of this piece and I hope it resonates with the millions of Americans who will hear it as it resonated with me.” https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-p...52781988066387
