An arrangement of the national anthem of the Congo Democratic Republic arranged for Saxophone Quintet. "Debout Congolais" (Arise Congolese) is the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first adopted in 1960 upon independence from Belgium, but was replaced by La Zaïroise when Congo changed its name to Zaire in 1971. It was finally reinstated when Congo was reorganized in 1997. The words are by Joseph Lutumba and the music is by Simon-Pierre Boka di Mpasi Londi. Congo first adopted its anthem upon independence in 1960. Known as Congo (Kinshasa) at the time of independence, to differentiate it from its neighbour to the west of the same name, the anthem was kept until 1971, when the national symbols were changed and the country’s name was changed to Zaire. A coup in 1997 restored the national symbols, including the name and anthem, back to the symbols adopted upon independence. The author and composer also wrote Zaire‘s anthem. When South Kasai seceded during the Congolese civil war in the early 1960s, it used "Debout Congolaise" as its national anthem, as their secession was from the provincial government, not from the Congolese nation. The DR Congo’s anthem also may be the only one specifically written for specific soloist and choral parts in the lyrics.

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 http://musicforalloccasions.org.uk 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