Expose your students to a wide variety of styles and moods, all within one powerful piece! After a stark, chromatic opening, a festive section based on a variety of fanfare-like motifs is heard. The energy eventually subsides, making way for what has become one of the most famous chorales in the orchestral repertoire. After its first statement by woodwinds, the entire orchestra soon picks up this pleading, patriotic melody, and a glorious coda brings the piece to an exciting end.