March Through the Northern Pines

From Wind Repertory Project
Spencer Brand

Spencer Brand


General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 5:05
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Spencer Brand
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $95.00   |   Score Only (digital) - $15.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-VII, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

It is early in the morning; the birds are chirping and the summer breeze blows through the Norway Pines. Off in the distance, a bell tolls followed by a bright blast of a bugle awakening the forest. Activity spurs as the more animals awaken to the far-away calls of the army camp prepping for a long march. A second bugle calls comes, this time much louder than the first, and there is a stir of anxiousness in the forest creatures. Finally, the calls from the distance stop. The forest is in near silence except for a few animals that call out in question as to what is happening. The questions are finally answered as the entire collection of birds screamed about the approach of the army with one last bugle blast!

The fifes and drums announce the soldier's march with glorious purpose, but the army is massive and only the leaders on horseback -- completely silent and proud -- appear first. Next, the soldiers, heavier steps with many souls, which burst out in song to the fifes, fill the ranks. Many of the birds still talk back and forth while the army parades. While the foot soldiers march by, the birds get into a heated argument with the deer down below as to the purpose of army’s move. Finally the artillery lumber behind with horses weighted down by great bronze canons and mortars.

Then there is a call from the lieutenant in front for a full halt! The lieutenant’s horse strides further ahead onto a beach. He looks out over the vast lake ahead of them. Its grandeur and stillness is deafening, as the only thing he can hear is the bugle coming from the back of the infantry rank. Then a loon pops out of the still water and the two make eye contact, and the seconds seem like hours. The loon calls out and dives under the water as the lieutenant is in a trance. He sits upon his horse pondering the lake's existence, what his interaction with the loon meant, and their marching destination. Thoughts fill his head about the battles to come in the South and wondered whether or not he willreturn.

With that, he whistles for his regiment to continue their march. Bustles of confusion spring up through the ranks as the men are questioning the stop and begin to rush back to their places. One last call from the back of the ranks gives the final order to move forward at full march and with the fifes at full blow and mounted buglers playing. As the army continues to march, the animals of the forest sing about how gallant the fight must be, that the men are in such bright spirits. A couple birds chime in as to the reason the army has stopped marching west and is now going south and is answered with silence with no one being quite sure. They hear one final bugle blast as the army marches into the distance.

-Program Note by composer


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

  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Symphonic Band (Jerry Luckhardt, conductor) – 6 December 2017 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • 523... (Flex instrumentation) (2020)


All Wind Works


Resources