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Fred Waring Store: DVDs, Rentals and Books
Roy Ringwald took the prayer, “Listen, Lord,” and three of the sermon poems, “The Creation,” “Go Down Death,” and “Judgment Day” from the famous James Weldon Johnson poem for the composition of his remarkable score – a setting for orchestra, chorus, singing and speaking solo voice. The composition was first performed for television on the General Electric sponsored “Fred Waring Show,” January 6, 1952 and recorded for Decca Records June 17, 1952.”
This television performance of God’s Trombones is from a January 6, 1952 and a June 22, 1952 “Fred Waring Show.” The prayer leader is Gertrude Jeanette and the preacher is Frank Davis. Mr. Davis was discovered by Fred Waring when he was recommended for an appearance on the “Varsity Showcase” portion of Waring’s television show. Upon graduation from Xavier University in New Orleans, Mr. Davis joined the Pennsylvanians and sang with them for many years.
Shawnee Press is the exclusive distributor of the God’s Trombones DVD. You can purchase the DVD from Fred Waring’s America or from Shawnee Press (www.shawneepress.com or call 800-962-8584).
On June 10, 2000, seventy-seven former Pennsylvanians gathered at Penn State to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fred Waring's birth. They paid tribute to America's Singing Master by re-creating the original Waring combo and then with a full orchestra performed 45 of his classic arrangements to a full audience at the Eisenhower Auditorium. The concert was videotaped and is available as two DVDs.
Fred Waring’s America has several films from the 1920s, 30s and 40s that star the Pennsylvanians and showcase their pioneering work in the motion picture industry. They are available to rent for 30 days for a fee of $15.00. See the policies and procedures section to print out the movie rental form.
Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, written by his wife of thirty years Virginia Waring, is an intimate portrait of an American legend known as "the man who taught America how to sing" and is now available in Paperback. The biography is accompanied by a compact disc with twenty-eight selections recorded by the Pennsylvanians over a forty-year period.
The newly available paperback edition of the book (original publication 1997) is available from the University of Illinois Press and can be ordered by calling 800/621-2736 or by sending an email to orders@press.uchicago.edu. (Paper, ISBN: 978-0-252-07444-8 $29.95 464 pages).
Literally years in the making, this is a masterpiece of research and compilation. Roy Ringwald, arguably one of the finest choral arrangers ever, before his death, compiled this book of 154 carols either first created or first published in America. Arrangements vary for SATB, SSA, unison, etc., most by the master arranger himself. All are reproducible.
Ringwald also included accurate, historical notes about each carol. He spent almost 37 years before his death on this project and we are proud to be able to make it available.
The book is 400 pages, spiral bound and costs $45.00 plus shipping by UPS ground $8.00. Send a check for $53.00 payable to Penn State University, to Fred Waring’s America.
Fred Waring’s America® Collection
The Pennsylvania State University
313 Pattee Library
University Park, PA 16802
