Of Thee I Sing

Of Thee I Sing
Love gets in the political way of a campaign for presidency; will it be true love or the oval office?

The celebrated authors of Strike Up The Band teamed with librettist Morrie Ryskind for another no-holds-barred assault on the American way of life in one of the longest running shows of the 1930's and the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize.

This all-American political satire focuses on the election campaign and Presidency of John P. Wintergreen, whose party, lacking a viable platform, runs on love, promising that if elected he will marry the partner chosen for him at an Atlantic City beauty pageant. When he falls for Mary Turner (a campaign secretary who bakes a mean corn muffin) instead of Diana Deveraux (the fairest flower of the South and winner of the pageant), trouble begins!

With politicians skewered right and left (including a Vice President who wanders the White House unrecognized by his own staff), Of Thee I Sing is an hilarious and timeless send-up of national institutions that is as relevant as ever. (It even features its own impeachment proceedings!) The extensive hit-filled score, one of the George and Ira Gershwin's finest creations, makes the show as suitable for concert presentation as full production.

Available through MTI for Professional Licensing ONLY. The Amateur Licensing rights are not available through MTI.

Concert Selections for Of Thee I Sing

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • LOVE IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    George Gershwin
    Lyrics by
    Ira Gershwin
    Orchestrated by
    Robert Russell Bennett
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    2 Voices (Typically 1 Male, 1 Female) and Chorus
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    14 min 06 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1(Flute), 1 Reed 2(Oboe), 2 Reed 3(Alto Sax), 2 Reed 4(Alto Sax), 2 Reed 5(Tenor Sax), 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 7 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 5 Violin C, 4 Viola A, 3 Viola B, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drums(Drum Set, Traps, Ratchet, Bells, Triangle, Xylo, Wood Block), 1 Piano, 1 Full Score, 25 Chorus books

  • OF THEE I SING
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    George Gershwin
    Lyrics by
    Ira Gershwin
    Orchestrated by
    Robert Russell Bennett
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Male Voice, 1 Female Voice, Chorus
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    2 min 45 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1(Flute), 1 Reed 2(Oboe), 2 Reed 3(Alto sax), 1 Reed 4(Alto sax), 1 Reed 5(Tenor sax), 1 Horn, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3,1 Trombone, 7 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 5 Violin C, 4 Viola A, 3 Viola B, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 1 Piano, 1 Conductor score, 25 Chorus books

  • OVERTURE ("OF THEE I SING")
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    GEORGE GERSHWIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 29 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 2(Oboe), 1 Reed 1(Flute), 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 1 Horn, 1 Tenor, 1 Alto 1, 1 Alto 2, 5 Violin C, 6 Violin B, 6 Violin A, 3 Viola 2, 4 Viola 1, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 1 Piano, 1 Full score

  • WHO CARES?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    GERSHWIN, GEORGE
    Lyrics by
    GERSHWIN, IRA
    Orchestrated by
    BENNETT, ROBERT RUSSELL
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    4 min 50 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1(Flute), 1 Reed 2(Oboe), 2 Reed 3(Bb Clarinet, Alto sax), 2 Reed 4(Bb Clarinet, Alto sax), 2 Reed 5(Bb Clarinet ,Tenor sax), 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone , 7 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 5 Violin C, 4 Viola A, 3 Viola B, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum(Snare drum, Bass drum, Cymbal), 1 Piano, 1 Full score, 25 Chorus books

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