Military Escort

From Wind Repertory Project
Henry Fillmore

Harold Bennett (arr. James Swearingen)


Subtitle: Regimental March

Harold Bennett is a pseudonym used by Henry Fillmore.


General Info

Year: 1923 / 1998
Duration: c. 2:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $5.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
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 Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The introduction of Military Escort (called "the best easy march ever composed") came from a march by Will Nicholson of Vallonia, Indiana. Fillmore bought the work for $35, revised the melody and harmony, added an additional 96 bars of his own material, and copyrighted the march in 1923 for both band and orchestra, using his Harold Bennett pseudonym.

Designed for beginning groups, Fillmore was amazed when the manuscript was read by his Shrine Band, and the members proclaimed it one of his very best marches. The composer apparently did not realize that the open-tone cornet fanfares and low brass melodies, as well as the repetitive "shave-and-a-haircut" rhythms, had been familiar to instrumentalists for centuries. Using these basic patterns, Fillmore produced an uncomplicated masterpiece which rises and falls in the band popularity polls but never disappears. According to Paul Bierley, Military Escort even outsold The Stars and Stripes Forever march for a period of about four years. A few years later, Sousa told Fillmore, "I wish that march had my name on it!"

- Program Note by Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Alva) Concert Band (Seth Cudd, conductor) - 5 March 2020
  • Kirksville (Mo.) High School Concert Band (Karen Harrison, conductor) – 7 March 2019
  • Emporia (Ks.) Municipal Band (James Davis, conductor) - 7 June 2018
  • Catawba Valley New Horizons Band, Hickory NC (Len Allman, conductor) 12 May 2016
  • Weaver Middle School (Merced, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Ashley Shine, conductor) - 15 April 2016 (2016 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
  • Selma (Calif.) High School Wind Ensemble (Kevin Tinkle, conductor) - 17 April 2015 (2015 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
  • San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) Junior Honor Band (Jay Posteraro, conductor) - 12 February 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Courage (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Clark) (1919/2003/2012)
  • His Honor March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Clark) (1934/2014)


All Wind Works


Resources