Colonel Bogey

From Wind Repertory Project
Kenneth J. Alford

Kenneth J Alford (ed. Frederick Fennell)


General Info

Year: 1914 / 1982
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00   |   Score Only - $6.50


Instrumentation

Condensed Score C Piccolo
Flute I-II (II substitute for E-flat Clarinet)
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet Solo-I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contra Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet Solo-I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpets
B-flat Flugelhorn
E-flat Solo Saxhorn
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Side Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Major Frederick Ricketts often used the golf course at Fort George in Scotland for his daily walks. One day in 1914, he came in the way of a golf player who instead of shouting the customary “fore” whistled the notes B and G. These were immediately answered by Ricketts with the next notes in the phrase. The march got its title from the golf term “bogey.” Malcolm Arnold used the march in his score for the1957 film The Bridge on the River Kwai.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


The interval of a descending minor third, seemingly basic to human communication, appears to be a factor in the composition of this march and also a reason for its innate appeal. Strolling on the Fort George golf course in Inverness, Scotland, one day in 1913, Ricketts reportedly heard the two-note interval whistled as a warning, and the result was a world-famous march with the familiar golf term "bogey" in its title.

In 1957 the film the Bridge on the River Kwai revived interest in this World War I march, and the younger generation of soldiers (and bandsmen) sang the same bawdy words heard by Alford [the pseudonym of Frederick Ricketts] 30 years earlier. According to Lt. Col. F. Vivian Dunn, the composer "greatly deprecated this usage, but was resigned to it as he understood the cheerful fortitude of the British troops in the face of adversity in the war." Capitalizing on the popularity of the original march -- still among the world's most popular -- Rickets later arranged a potpourri of several of his marches using the title Colonel Bogey on Parade.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Colonel Bogey March (1914) utilizes a variation on the march form with which most Americans are familiar. The first strain and second strain are repeated as is now standard. However, after the repeat of the 2nd strain, the 1st strain is restated a single time creating a modified song form (Intro-AABBA) before the descending fifth key center shift at the transition to the trio.

- Program Note from Kennesaw State University University Band concert program, 17 April 2018


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Healdsburg (Calif.) Community Band (Jon Saler, conductor) - 11 June 2023
  • The University of Texas at El Paso Wind Symphony (Andrew Hunter, conductor) - 29 September 2022
  • Texas A&M University (College Station) Concert Band (Lance Sample, conductor) - 5 December 2021
  • Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Concert Band (John Korak, conductor) - 4 June 2021
  • Mid America Freedom Band (Kansas City, Mo.) (Lee Hartman, conductor) – 24 February 2019
  • Windham (NH) Concert Band (Spencer Aston, conductor) – 7 April 2018
  • West Virginia University (Lindsey Williams, conductor) - 27 February 2018
  • Wheaton (Ill.) College Symphonic Band (Timothy Yontz, conductor) – 8 April 2017
  • San Ramon (Calif.) Symphonic Band (Bryan Holbrook, conductor) – 25 October 2015
  • Marquette University Symphonic Band (Jason S. Ladd, conductor) - 12 April 2015
  • State College Area (Penn.) Municipal Band (Ned C. Deil, conductor) - 15 February 2015
  • Gold Coast Wind Ensemble (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) (Clifton H. Dawley, conductor) - 17 January 2015
  • Brentwood (Calif.) Concert Band (Carey Hurst, conductor) - 9 June 2013
  • Ely City Band, Ely MN (Nolan Hauta, conductor) - 24 July 2012
  • Marquette University Symphonic Band (Jason S. Ladd, conductor) - 21 November 2010
  • National High School Band [Interlochen, Mich.] (Frederick Fennell, conductor) - 4 August 1940


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources