Wizard of the West

From Wind Repertory Project
Charles E. Duble

Charles E Duble (tr. and ed. Marc Oliver)


General Info

Year: 1908 / 2010
Duration: c. 2:05
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ayotte Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $89.99; (digital) - $80.99   |   Score Only (print) - $13.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Every genre of music has its “one-hit wonders”—composers or performers who are forever known for just one piece of music. In classical music, two composers come to mind: Johann Pachebel for his Canon in D and Emil Reznecek for his overture to Donna Diana. I am certain that they have written a lot more music, but we only know them for the above-mentioned works.

The same is true in wind band music. The composer in question is one Charles E. Duble. His one big hit is his circus march, Bravura. One of his lesser known marches is Wizard of the West. It was originally written in 1908 and dedicated “To A. R. Wheeler, Musical Director, Howes Great London Shows.” To this day, however, this occidental expert remains a mystery because he has not come out from behind the curtains. However, the western wizard does make his presence known in the euphonium section—especially in the trio.

- Program Note from publisher


This march was written early in Duble's career and was dedicated to "A.R. Wheeler, Musical Director, Howes Great London Shows." It is traditionally used to accompany the elephant acts and, at a fast tempo, takes a band of instrumental wizards to perform the parts as written, especially the euphonium part. Opening with a soli section, the low brass parts never let up – the melodies, the countermelodies, and the upper woodwind obligatos in this exciting march indicate what an intelligent and gifted composer can accomplished with the limitations of the traditional march form.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.) Wind Ensemble (Aaron Lefkowitz, conductor) - 7 November 2023
  • Danville (Calif.) Community Band (Robert Calonico, conductor) – 2 April 2017


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Perusal score
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 179-180.