Merritts Hill Music

Home On The Range - arranged for brass band by Dan Augustine

"Home On The Range" started life in 1872 when a Dr. Brewster M. Higley of Indiana took advantage of the Homestead Act to relocate to Smith County, Kansas. So taken was he with his new surroundings that he was moved to express himself in a poem entitled "My Western Home". A melody was added by Higley's friend Dan Kelley, whereafter the song was performed so far and wide that as its popularity grew, its origins were lost. It came to be regarded as traditional by some, and it attracted false claims of authorship from others. The Library of Congress has the full story at https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200196571/

For a comparison of the different versions see http://www.cowboypoetry.com/Homeon.htm

Although it had previously been recorded by various artists, in 1933 Bing Crosby projected it to fame among a worldwide audience, and it was officially adopted as the state song of Kansas on June 30, 1947.

Dan Augustine's adaptation for brass band is based on a choral arrangement by Mark Hayes, and was made at the suggestion of John Caputo (director of the Austin Brass Band) to whom it is dedicated.

Parts are included for F horns, and for all the lower brass in bass clef.

Used by permission of Fred Bock Music Company, Inc.