George Gerswhin (1898-1937) teamed up with Tin Pan Alley lyricist Michael E. Rourke (pen name Herbert Reynolds) in a 1919 competition to compose a national anthem for the United States of America, which did not have an official anthem at that time. The pair published the rousing march, titled O Land of Mine, America, anonymously with an eye to appeal directly to the most famous of the five judges, John Philip Sousa. They did not win the $5000 prize, instead earning an honorable mention and $50, which the two split between them. This version for orchestra and optional chorus has been arranged by Mike Lewis. Instrumentation: 3.2.2+BCl.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(2): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Mixed Chorus (opt.; available separately).