Imperial March, The

John Williams

John Williams (trans. Stephen Bulla)

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Subtitle: Darth Vader's Theme

General Info

Year: 1980 / 2008
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $215.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
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
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano/Celeste
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

John Williams’ menacing musical signature for Darth Vader and the Empire from George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy remains one of the most iconic symphonic themes in all film music. Like many of Williams’ award-winning scores to these classic films, this theme is instantly recognizable, both as a portrait of Darth Vader, one of the most unforgettable characters in Star Wars, as well as an exciting and dramatic symphonic march. Though the Imperial March is one of the most memorable themes from the Star Wars film scores, it is often overlooked that it is not present in the first Star Wars movie. Instead, the Imperial March made its debut in The Empire Strikes Back, the second film released. It immediately became synonymous not only with Darth Vader, but with the feelings of fear, evil, and impending doom.

- Program Note from U.S. Marine Band concert program, 2 June 2022

One of the most recognized themes from the silver screen first appeared in the film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. This powerful arrangement for mature bands presents this dark and sinister march in its full splendor and will delight audiences everywhere.

- Program Note from publisher

Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Darren Lin, conductor) - 2 June 2022
• University of Kansas (Lawrence) Symphonic Band (Tom Davoren, conductor) - 10 March 2021
• Carroll Community Wind Ensemble (Carrollton, Ga.) (Terry Lowery, conductor) - 22 October 2020
• United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C. (John Williams, conductor) - 23 October 2019
• University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Campus Band (Betsy McCann, conductor) – 8 March 2019
• United States Military Academy Band (West Point, N.Y.) (Richard Winkels, conductor) – 21 July 2018

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

• Great Movie Adventures (arr. Sweeney) (Flex instrumentation) (2006)
• Highlights from "Jurassic Park" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (1993)
• Raiders March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Lavender) (1981/2017)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2016)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (2017)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2019)

All Wind Works

• The Adventures of Han (arr. Lavender) (2018)
• The Adventures of Mutt (arr. Lavender) (2008)
• Adventures on Earth (tr. Lavender) (1982/2007)
• America, the Dream Goes On (arr. Higgins) (1989)
• American Journey (arr. Lavender) (1999/2012)
• At the Movies with John Williams (arr. Justin Williams) (2016)
• Call of the Champions (arr. Moss) (2002)
• Cantina Band (arr. Kalver) (1977/2014)
• Catch Me If You Can (arr. Bocook) (2011)
• Chillers and Thrillers (arr. Moss) (2006)
• The Complete Harry Potter (arr. Brubaker) (2013)
• Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra (arr. Lavender) (1988/2016)
• Coronation March from "Star Wars" (arr. Burden) (1977/1978)
• The Cowboys (arr. Curnow) (1972)
• The Cowboys (Grade III) (arr. Bocook) (1972)
• The Cowboys (Grade V) (arr. Bocook) (1972/2007)
• Dance of the Witches (arr. Lavender) (1987)
• Dartmoor, 1912 (arr. Bocook) (2011)
• Duel of the Fates (arr. Story) (1999)
• The Empire Strikes Back (tr. Bullock) (1980)
• Escapades (arr. Bulla) (2002/2012)
• Excerpts from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (arr. Bulla) (1978/2009)
• Excerpts from "Far and Away" (arr. Lavender) (1992/1996)
• Fanfare for Fenway (2012)
• Fanfare from E.T. The Extraterrestrial (arr. Lavender) (1982)
• Flight to Neverland (arr. Lavender) (1991/2016)
• Flying Theme (tr. Lavender) (1982)
• For New York (arr. Lavender) (1988/)
• For the President's Own (2013)
• Great Movie Adventures (arr. Sweeney) (Flex instrumentation) (2006)
• Harry Potter Symphonic Suite (arr. Smith) (2001)
• Harry's Wondrous World (arr. Brubaker) (2003)
• Harry's Wondrous World (arr. Lavender) (2006)
• Highlights from "Harry Potter" (arr. Story) (2001)
• Highlights from "Hook" (arr. Bernaerts) (1991/2005)
• Highlights from "Hook" (arr. Heide) (1995)
• Highlights from "Jurassic Park" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (1993)
• Highlights from "Return of the Jedi" (arr. Jennings; orch. Lavender) (1983)
• Hogwarts Forever (2001)
• Home Alone 2, Lost in New York (arr. Lavender)
• A Home Alone Christmas (arr. Lavender) (1990/2006)
• A Hymn to New England (arr. Lavender)
• Hymn to the Fallen (arr. Lavender) (1998/1999)
• Hymn to the Fallen (arr. Sweeney) (1998/2000)
• The Imperial March (tr. Bulla) (1980/2008)
• Indiana Jones Selection (arr. Heide) (1981/2007)
• Jedi Steps and Finale. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
• John Williams: Evening at Pops (arr. Higgins) (1987)
• John Williams: A Fantasy of Flight (arr. Smith) (2002)
• John Williams in Concert (arr. Lavender) (1992)
• John Williams: The Symphonic Marches (arr. Higgins; orch. Lavender) (1984)
• John Williams: Symphonic Soundtracks (arr. Moss) (2001)
• John Williams Swings (arr. Bocook) (2011)
• Jurassic Park Soundtrack Highlights (arr. Lavender) (1993)
• Liberty Fanfare (arr. Curnow) (1986/2002)
• Liberty Fanfare (arr. Bocook) (1986/2010)
• Liberty Fanfare (arr. Lavender) (1986/)
• Lincoln (arr. Bocook) (2013)
• The March from "1941" (arr. Lavender)
• March of the Resistance. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
• Men of the Yorktown (arr. Lavender)
• Midway March (arr. Lavender) (1976/2010)
• Midway March (arr Curnow) (1976/1990)
• Midway March (arr. Moss) (1976/1994)
• The Mission Theme (arr. Lavender) (1987)
• Music for Brass (2014)
• Music from "Lincoln" (tr. Lavender) (2013)
• Music from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Sweeney) (1977/2016)
• Olympic Fanfare and Theme (arr. Curnow) (1984)
• The Olympic Spirit (1988)
• The Olympic Spirit (tr. Bocook) (1988/1996)
• The Olympic Spirit (tr. Rose) (1988)
• The Olympic Spirit (arr. Curnow) (1988)
• Olympics: A Centennial Celebration (arr. Moss) (1996)
• Out to Sea and the Shark Cage Fugue (arr. Bocook) (1975/2011)
• Out of This World (arr. Bocook) (1999)
• Parade of the Slave Children (arr. Walker) (1984/1997/2002)
• The Patriot (arr. Lavender) (2000/2015)
• The Patriot (arr. Moss) (2000/2001)
• A Prayer for Peace (arr. Moss) (2006)
• Quidditch (2001)
• Raiders March (tr. Lavender) (1981/2004)
• Raiders March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Lavender) (1981/2017)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark Medley (arr. Bullock) (1981)
• The Rebellion Is Reborn (arr. Bocook) (2017)
• Revenge of the Sith. See: Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith
• Rey's Theme (arr. Lavender). See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
• Rey's Theme (arr. Torskangerpoll) (2015)
• Rey's Theme (arr. Vinson) (2015/2016)
• The Rise of Skywalker. See: Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"
• Scherzo for Motorcycle and Band (arr. Lavender)
• Scherzo for X-Wings. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
• Selections from "E.T." (The Extra-Terrestrial) (arr. Cacavas) (1982/2002)
• Selections from "Home Alone" (arr. Lavender) (1990/1992)
• Selections from "Superman Returns" (arr. Lopez) (2006)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2016)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (2017)
• Selections from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2019)
• Selections from the "Star Wars" Saga (arr. Story) (1977/2006)
• Sinfonietta
• Soaring with John Williams (arr. Smith) (2007)
• Somewhere in My Memory (arr. Moss) (1991/200-?)
• Sound the Bells! (trans. Lavender) (1993/2003)
• Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Brown) (2015/2018)
• Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (arr. Brown) (2015/2019)
• Star of Bethlehem (arr. Lavender) (1992)
• The Star-Spangled Banner (as arranger) (1814/2004)
• Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace (arr. Smith)
• Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones (arr. Smith) (2002)
• Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (arr. Smith) (2005)
• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (2019)
• Star Wars: Main Title (arr. Bulla) (1977/2006)
• Star Wars Medley (arr. Burden) (1977)
• Star Wars Medley (arr. Kalver) (1977/2013)
• Star Wars Medley (arr. Tatgenhorst) (1977)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Closing Credits) (arr. Lavender) (2016)
• Star Wars: The Marches (arr. Brubaker) (1977)
• Star Wars Saga (arr. Bulla) (2017)
  • The Imperial March (arr. Bulla) (1980/2008)
• Star Wars Saga (arr. Meij) (1987)
• Star Wars Trilogy (arr. Hunsberger) (1977/1997)
• Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part I (arr. Smith) (1977/2007)
• Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part II (arr. Smith) (1977/2007)
• Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Lavender) (2015/2016)
  • Scherzo for X-Wings (arr. Lavender) (2016)
  • Rey's Theme (arr. Lavender) (2015)
  • March of the Resistance (arr. Lavender) (2015)
  • Jedi Steps and Finale (arr. Lavender) (2015)
• Suite from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (with Nicholas Hooper; arr. Bullock) (2002/2007)
• Summon the Heroes (arr. Lavender) (1996)
• Superman (arr. Lowden)
• Superman March (arr. Lavender) (1978/2008)
• Symphonic Marches (arr. Hamers)
• Symphonic Suite from "Far and Away" (arr. Lavender) (1992/2013)
• Symphonic Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Bocook) (2016)
• Symphonic Suite from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (arr. Bocook) (2019)
• Theme from "JFK" (arr. Lavender) (1991)
• Theme from "Lost in Space" (arr. O'Loughlin) (1965/1993)
• Theme from "Schindler's List" (arr. Custer) (1994)
• Theme from "Schindler's List" (arr. Moss) (1993/2008)
• Theme from "Superman" (arr. Holcombe) (1979)
• Theme from "Superman" (arr. Nowak) (1979)
• Theme from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (arr. Ployhar) (1982/1985)
• Trumpet Concerto (arr. Lavender) (1996/2016)
• Tribute to the Film Composer (arr. Lavender)
• Viktor's Tale (arr. Lavender) (2004/2008)
• Viktor's Tale (arr. Rasmussen) (2004)
• Wide Receiver (arr. Lavender)
• With Malice Toward None (arr. Lavender) (2012/2015)
• Young Person's Guide to John Williams (arr. Bocook) (1991)

Resources

None discovered thus far.