Step Ahead, A
General Info
Year: 1938
Duration: c. 2:25
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Harry L. Alford Studios
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.
For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.
Instrumentation
Condensed Score
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-II-IV
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Wood Block
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
A Step Ahead March (1938) was Alford’s last. The work is reminiscent of early film scores from the 1930s. One of the outstanding features of this cinematic-sounding piece is appropriately the pyrotechnic euphonium obbligato in the trio. This new edition is dedicated to Dr. Brian L. Bowman who seems to always be “A Step Ahead.” In a letter to A.A. Harding, the Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Alford wrote the following regarding this final march:
Enclosed is the March, but for the life of me, I can’t find a title. Maybe it will come in the next few days. I have a melody in the Trio that is bound to stay with you… it has not been played: so I am rather anxious to hear how these ideas sound by the “WORLD’S GREATEST COLLEGE BAND.”
- Program Note from University of North Texas, Denton, Wind Symphony concert program, 19 November 2015
[This edition is dedicated to Dr. Brian Bowman, who seems to always be "A Step Ahead."]
- Source of note unknown
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 North Texas (Denton) Wind Symphony (Brian Bowman, conductor) - 18 December 2015 (2015 Midwest Clinic)
- University of North Texas, Denton, Wind Symphony (Brian Bowman, conductor) – 19 November 2015
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Call of the Elk March (1920)
- Evanston Civic Band March (as arranger) (1925)
- Glory of the Gridiron March (1932)
- Law and Order (1926)
- Lucy's Sextette (ed. and trans. Oliver) (1913/2010)
- March of the Illini (1926/1928)
- My Hero (as arranger) (1908/1936)
- The Purple Carnival (1933)
- Roll 'Em Up (1922)
- Skyliner (ed. Kinsey) (1936/2022)
- A Step Ahead (1940)
- The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (1934)
Resources
- Alford, H. (1940). A Step Ahead [score]. Harry L. Alford Studios: s.l.