By Retired Major Brian Dix, US Marine Corps, and active conductor and composer from San Diego

In a delightful turn of events, this year's Independence Day concerts will feature a newly adopted song of the US Space Force, “Sempra Supra”. However, if your ensemble's performance of the "Armed Forces Service Song Medley" was arranged prior to September 2022, the music might be incomplete. Fear not, for a quick remedy awaits you.

As of this writing, a published arrangement that includes all six service songs, including “Sempra Supra,” is not available in print. But there is a solution at hand: the Department of Defense has provided a recording that can be used for your ensemble's performance.

The US Air Force holds the copyright and licensing for “Sempra Supra.” They have made it conveniently accessible online through a fantastic all-in-one shopping website for licensing and orchestration purposes. You can find the recording with additional information at https://www.music.af.mil/Space-Force-Song/.

This audio recording is specifically designed for performance use, ensuring a seamless integration of “Sempra Supra” into your concert repertoire.

Your media experts can craft a verbal introduction that highlights the song's originality and significance.

Perform the audio recording allowing the charming notes of “Sempra Supra” to resonate with your audience, then flawlessly hit that downbeat into the familiar and cherished “Armed Forces Medley” that your ensemble is accustomed to.

With confidence, we anticipate that published orchestrations encompassing all six service songs will soon be accessible, providing a comprehensive musical experience for future performances.

Let the patriotic melodies soar, and celebrate this Independence Day with the harmonious addition of the US Space Force's “Sempra Supra” in your concert program.

About ACSO's Guest Blog Series: Our membership network is full of incredible people with a wealth of life experiences, talents, and diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We want to share their insights, points of view, and wisdom with all of you, as well as raise the voices of individuals who are making a difference for the classical music field. Our guest blog series features people from different communities throughout California and the western US, from different sizes and types of classical music organizations, and with different jobs and responsibilities. They share what they have learned, express their opinions about the sector, and ask challenging questions that will help us shift our thinking and be better advocates for this art form that we all love.