Midway March (arr Curnow)

From Wind Repertory Project
John Williams

John Williams (arr. James Curnow)


General Info

Year: 1976 / 1990
Duration: c. 4:05
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Jensen Pub.
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet (optional)
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
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bell Tree
  • Bongos
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Sand Shaker
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal, small and medium
  • Tom-Tom, medium


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In the classic World War II motion picture Midway (1976), John Williams created one of the most riveting and powerful marches ever heard on the silver screen. This authentic edition brings all the energy and excitement of this composition to the wind band format.

- Program Note from publisher


The Battle of Midway was a victory that some say was the turning point of the U.S. war against Japan during World War II. The jaunty nature of the march celebrates the victory but omits the high cost of a battle. The victory was so important to American morale that the name found its way into the lexicon of the country. Chicago’s Midway Airport, for example, was named for the battle. Key to the victory was the breaking of the Japanese Naval encryption codes. The war had been going badly for the U.S. and the Japanese planned to deliver a devastating blow to finish off the U.S. fleet at Midway. However, due to the U.S. Signals intelligence breaking the Japanese encryption code, the U.S. was able to plan a counterattack that led to eventual victory, although with great loss of U.S. life.

Williams references the code in his March with a repetitive set of staccato notes in the brass. The march was composed in 1976 as part of the soundtrack for an epic movie. Despite its big-name cast, the movie was not a smashing success, but in June 1992, a more successful re-edit of the extended version aired on the CBS network commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Regardless of the success of the film, the score produced one of Williams’s most popular marches, Midway March.

- Program Note by the Austin (Texas) Symphonic Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Peninsula Wind Ensemble (Yorktown, Va.) (Melvin Lauf, Jr., conductor) - 11 November 2023
  • University of North Texas (Denton) University Band (Amy Woody, conductor) - 12 April 2023
  • University of Oregon (Eugene) Wind Ensemble (Cynthia Johnston Turner, conductor) - 19 May 2022
  • Heart of Texas Concert Band (San Antonio) (John Goforth, conductor) - 4 July 2021
  • Cedar City (Utah) Community Band (Steve Shirts, conductor) - 6 April 2021
  • Iowa City New Horizons Band (Nolan Hauta, conductor) - 18 June 2017
  • University of Georgia Hodgson Symphonic Band (Michael C. Robinson, conductor) – 19 September 2016
  • Callanwode Concert Band (Decatur, Ga.) (Raymond Handfield, conductor) – 29 May 2016
  • Lynnwood (Wash.) Community Band – 18 March 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Williams, J.; Curnow, J. (1990). Midway March : [From the Motion Picture Midway] [score]. MCA Music Publ.: Milwaukee, Wisc.