Circus Bee, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Henry Fillmore

Henry Fillmore (ed. Robert E Foster)


General Info

Year: 1908 / 2003
Duration: c. 3:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $20.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This march was a celebration of sorts for the fact that Fillmore and his father (who managed their publishing business) finally agreed that the young composer could publish his music “at home” even though it did not meet the elder Fillmore’s standard of being religious music. The title came from an imaginary circus newspaper; if John N Klohr could name his famous march after a show business paper called The Billboard, why not name his new march after a circus paper, real or not?

Perhaps, if Henry Fillmore were still living, he would compose The Circus Fanfare March after the bulletin published by the Windjammers Unlimited, Inc. This group of circus music buffs alternates recording sessions at their conventions with discussions concerning music performed at circuses, past, present, and future. Most seem to agree that the Circus Bee March reflects Fillmore’s lifelong interest in circuses and his varied experiences while touring with five different big top shows.

-Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Symphonic Band (Bradley Genervo, conductor) - 7 November 2023
  • Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 15 November 2020
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) Wind Ensemble (Patrick McCarty, conductor) – 18 April 2016
  • Hartt Wind Ensemble (West Hartford, Conn.) (Adam Williamson, conductor) – 11 March 2016 (CBDNA 2016 Eastern Division Conference, New London, Conn.)
  • University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Symphonic Band (Randall Coleman, conductor) – 9 November 2015
  • Lee University Wind Ensemble (Winona Gray Holsinger, conductor) – 8 October 2015
  • Lamar University (Beaumont, Tex.) Wind Ensemble (Scott Deppe, conductor) - 12 February 2015 (2015 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) Wind Symphony (David Waybright, conductor) – 19 January 2015
  • Saitama (Japan) Sakae Wind Orchestra (Akira Oku, conductor) – 18 December 2014 (2014 Midwest Clinic)


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Courage (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Clark) (1919/2003/2012)
  • His Honor March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Clark) (1933/2014)


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Fillmore, H.; Foster, R. (2003). The Circus Bee: March [score]. Carl Fischer: New York.
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 204.