March of the Belgian Parachutists (arr Wiley)

From Wind Repertory Project
Pieter Leemans

Pieter Leemans (arr. Charles A. Wiley)


This work is also known as March of the Belgian Paratroopers and Marche des Parachutistes Belges.


General Info

Year: 1945 / 1975
Duration: c. 2:55
Difficulty: III-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00   |   Full Score Only - $12.00   |   Condensed Score Only - $8.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo I-II
Flute
Oboe I-II
English Horn
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-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion I-II-III:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Parade Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Triangle (small)


Errata

  • Horn in F III-IV, 1 m. before reh. C: Upper note F should read G
  • Baritone T.C., 1 m. after reh. G, beat 2: E should read D
  • Basses, 4 m. after reh. B, beat 2, upper note: G should read A


Program Notes

While he was serving his year of military duty at the end of World War I, Leemans's regimental commander asked him to compose a march; it was begun but never finished. Near the end of World War II he was having dinner with a group of paratroopers and was again asked to compose a march. As the group commander, Maj. Timmerman, drove him home that night, the march theme came to mind, and he wrote out all of the parts after reaching home.

The trio of the march originated from a march written for an N.I.R. radio contest. After only winning the consolation prize, the march was abandoned and is known with the competition designation V. A quiet, unaggressive essay in the easy-paced European style, it is set in the form of a “patrol”; the music marches on from the distance, plays, and passes.

Friends told him later that they had heard the march at a circus in France, a wedding in India, and a military music pageant in the United States. The arrangement most often heard in the United States was made by Charles Wiley at the request of his Lamar University (Texas) Band students.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Written by Pierre Leemans, Marche des Parachutistes Belges was arranged by Charles A. “Pete” Wiley for a performance by his Lamar University Band for the Texas Music Association Convention in 1957. Dr. Wiley talked personally to Pierre Leemans for exact markings and tempos. This arrangement adheres to the composer’s original intent for the piece.

Frederick Fennell was at the American premier of Dr. Wiley’s arrangement of the Belgian march and said, “I am going to record your arrangement of that march!” Twenty-five years later Fennell finally was able to come though on his promise, and recorded the work on his now famous album entitled Macho Marches. The march continues to be a favorite in the wind repertoire.

- Program Note from Appalachian State University Concert Band concert program, 25 April 2016


Media


State Ratings

  • Indiana: Senior High Band II
  • Kansas: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Texas State University (San Marcos) Concert Band (Kyle R. Glaser, conductor) - 27 April 2023
  • The Southern Tier (Binghamton, N.Y.) Concert Band (Robin Linaberry, conductor) - 14 March 2022
  • Millersville (Penn.) University Concert Band (Christy Banks, conductor) - 17 October 2021
  • University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) Concert Band (Travis Higa, conductor) – 4 March 2020
  • Maryland Winds (Columbia) (Timothy Holtan, conductor) - 11 February 2020
  • Penn State University (University Park) Campus Band (Margaret Pedlow Smith, conductor) – 9 December 2019
  • Emporia State University (Overland Park, Ks.) Wind Ensemble (Gary Ziek, conductor) - 23 November 2019
  • Penn State University (University Park) Symphonic Band (Dennis Glocke, conductor) – 25 April 2019
  • Peninsula Symphonic Band (Palo Alto, Calif.) (G. Mancho Gonzalez, conductor) – 18 November 2018
  • Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.) Concert Band (Larry Stoner, conductor) - 6 May 2018
  • New Orleans (La.) Concert Band (Charles Taylor, conductor) – 11 March 2018
  • University of Texas at San Antonio Harmonie Wind Ensemble (Michael Steiner, conductor) – 9 April 2017
  • Ohlone Wind Orchestra (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) – 26 March 2017
  • Pomona (Calif.) Concert Band (Linda W. Taylor, conductor) – 18 August 2016
  • Cuesta Wind Ensemble (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 11 May 2016
  • Foothill Symphonic Winds (Palo Alto, Calif.) (David Bruce Adams, conductor) – 5 June 2016
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Symphony Band (Brian McFarland, conductor) – 29 April 2016
  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony I (Darren Allen, conductor) – 25 April 2016
  • Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.) Concert Band (John Whitwell, conductor) – 25 April 2016
  • Exeter (Calif.) Union High School Symphonic Band (Kirk Clague, conductor) - 13 March 2016 (2016 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)


Works for Winds by This Composer

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Resources

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