American Patrol (tr Ployhar)

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General Info

Year: 1891 / 1982 / 2005
Duration: c. 2:50
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Piano
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishers
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $45.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
D-flat Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
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 Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Frank W. Meacham was a commercial composer and arranger in New York City for more than 30 years. Of all his music, American Patrol is the only composition that has stood the test of time. There have been at least 26 different band arrangements made of it, the most famous of which is that made by Glenn Miller for his band.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music

The concert arrangement opens with a very soft and uncomplicated drum cadence, simulating the approach of a military patrol on guard duty. The first melody, which original with Meacham, begins quietly and gradually increases in intensity. It is followed by a medley of well-known patriotic songs, including Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean (1843), Yankee Doodle (1782), and Dixie (1860). The music then fades until a final burst of martial music concludes the piece.

Meacham copyrighted a piano version of American Patrol in 1885. After the band arrangement was published in 1891, the popularity of the march increased steadily for several decades. At least eight firms published vocal editions during World War II; 16 publishers published editions for piano during the same time. Numerous concert and jazz arrangements have also been published for band and orchestra, from Carl Fischer's edition in 1891 to Edwin F. Kalmus's editions 90 years later. Recordings of this perennial favorite have been made by dozens of bands (including Glenn Miller's) since it was recorded by the Sousa Band, with Arthur Prior conducting, in 1900.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: Northshore Concert Band (Roger Bjorklund, conductor) - 2005

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Roger Bjorklund, conductor) – 16 December 2005 (2005 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

American Patrol (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Huckeby) (1891/1991/2010)

All Wind Works

American Patrol (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Huckeby) (1891/1991/2010)
American Patrol (tr. Ployhar) (1891/2005)
American Patrol (arr. Whitney (1891/1942)
American Patrol (tr. Yoder) (1891/1941)
Columbus March
Corncracker Dance
Happy Life Waltzes
Wing Dance Polka
Yankee Patrol

Resources

Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Frank W. Meacham." Accessed 26 June 2016.
Meacham, F.; Ployhar, J. (2005). American Patrol [score]. Belwin Mills: Miami, Fla.
Pease, Andy. "American Patrol by F.W. Meacham." Wind Band Literature, 25 June 2021. Web. Accessed 25 June 2021
Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 420.