Circus Bee, The (ed Schissel)

From Wind Repertory Project
Henry Fillmore

Henry Fillmore (ed. Loras John Schissel)


General Info

Year: 1908 / 2007
Duration: c. 3:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ludwig Masters
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $14.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Field Drum
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

A “screamer” is an extremely fast circus march intended to stir up the audience during the show. Circus marches are faster than normal military marches, often 130 to 150 beats per minute instead of 120. Screamers are very demanding to perform, especially for the low brass, because of their extremely fast and complex rhythms.

- Program Note by the San Jose Wind Symphony concert program, 9 March 2014


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 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

  • Youngstown (Ohio) State University Wind Ensemble (Michael Butler, conductor) – 29 January 2023 (Severance Music Center, Cleveland)
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Tom Caneva, conductor) - 28 October 2022
  • Peninsula Symphonic Band (Palo Alto, Calif.) (Ted Henderson, conductor) – 19 May 2019
  • Penn State University (University Park) Symphonic Band (Dennis Glocke, conductor) – 25 April 2019
  • University of Iowa (Iowa City) Symphony Band (Mark Heidel, conductor) - 21 February 2019
  • Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) Wind Symphony (Don L. Peterson, conductor) – 1 November 2018
  • San Jose Wind Symphony (Edward C. Harris, conductor) - 9 March 2014
  • John Hershey High School (Arlington Heights, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Scott Casagrande, conductor) – 20 December 2007 (2007 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

  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 204.