An arrangement of the Belizean National Anthem for String Orchestra. The anthem was first written in 1963 by a Belize citizen who fought on the side of the British in World War I. After his return from the war, he was actively involved in local movements that encouraged Belizian identity and towards the removal of racial discrimination in Belize; the anthem may have been written with these sentiments in mind. The original title was “Land of the Gods” in response to the prevalence of religious observance in the country. It was adopted upon independence from Great Britain in 1981. (The British anthem is still retained in Belize as the royal anthem, as the British royal family is retained as Belize’s head of state.) Presently there has been some debate about the anthem and if it should be replaced. The ruling party of the day unilaterally adopted the anthem upon independence and the choice of an anthem was not put to the population to decide, although the choice was agreed upon by the people. Also, there has been issue by womens’ groups in the country with phrases such as “Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty” and to the militaristic imagery in the chorus. For more of my original music, great arrangements and all the national anthems of the world, check out my on-line stores: http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/keith_terret

For more of my original music, great arrangements and all the national anthems of the world, check out my on-line stores: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/keithterrett1 http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=keith+terrett Need an anthem fast? They are ALL in my store! All my anthem arrangements are also available for Orchestra, Recorders, Saxophones, Wind, Brass and Flexible band. If you need an anthem urgently for an instrumentation not in my store, let me know via e-mail, and I will arrange it for you FOC if possible! keithterrett@gmail.com If you perform this arrangement in public, make a recording or broadcast it through any media, please notify the PRS (UK), or ASCAP (USA), or SOCAN (Canada), or APRA (Australia) or KODA (Denmark) or the equivalent organisation in your own country, giving the name of the arranger as Keith Terrett.