Voice of the Guns, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Kenneth J. Alford

Kenneth J Alford


General Info

Year: 1917 / 1945
Duration: 2:40
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey and Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Conductor
C Flute
D-flat Piccolo
Oboe
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 Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
Flugelhorn
Horn in E-flat I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In 1917, when this march was published, Great Britain and her allies were engaged in a fierce struggle for survival with the Axis powers. In addition to land battles in Europe, Turkey, Palestine and Iraq, Britain was fighting to maintain its supremacy on the seas. Before the tide of battle began to change, later in the year, the transport Ibernia, the hospital ship Donegal and Lanfranc, and the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow were among the British ships sunk by German submarines.

In this march the transition from minor to major seems to reflect Alford's confidence in his nation's ultimate victory.

- Program Note from March Music Notes


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Southeast Texas Winds (Beaumont) (Scott Deppe, conductor) - 12 March 2023
  • University of Connecticut (Storrs) Wind Ensemble (Janet Song Kim, conductor) - 17 November 2022
  • Texas A&M University (College Station) Wind Symphony (Timothy Rhea, conductor) - 2 March 2019
  • Allegheny College (Meadville, Penn.) Band Camp for Adult Musicians (Timothy W. Foley, conductor) - 15 June 2018


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Alford, Kenneth J. (1917/1945) The Voice of the Guns [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: New York.
  • Smith, Norman E. (1986) March Music Notes. Lake Charles, Louisiana: Program Notes Press, p. 8.