At the Movies

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (arr. R. Mark Rogers)


Subtitle: A Suite of Scenarios for Cinematographers

This work may also appear under the title Impressions at the Movies


General Info

Year: 1914 / 1922 / 2004
Duration: c. 17:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $150.00


Movements

1. The Serenaders
2. The Crafty Villain and the Timid Maid
3. Balance All and Swing Partners


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II-III-IV (IV doubling C Piccolo)
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II
B-flat Flugelhorn
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Bird Whistle
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Cuckoo
  • Rainstick
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Trill Whistle
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

From the 1915 program note that appeared with the first published edition: "The 'Scenarios for Cinematographers' constitute an effort on [Sousa's] part through music, to elucidate the cinematographer what is usually done by the written word. The opening number, 'The Serenaders' depicts that happy period in the college student's life when he delights in serenading the girl students in a neighborhood university. The happiness and care-free existence of 'The Serenaders' is duly reflected in the music of this number, fairly bubbling over with gaiety and joyous spirit. […] The second number essays the harrowing story of 'The Crafty Villain and the Timid Maid.' The timid maid's pleading and the crafty villains's bombast being in evidence throughout the number. The third is a dance on the Village Green - the very name 'Balance All and Swing Partners' telling its own story."

This edition by Mark Rogers has been revised to better suit the instrumentation of contemporary bands and also to make the 1st movement more accessible to a wider range of players with a move to a key that allows the soloists a greater chance at success.

- Program Note from publisher


When Sousa sent this suite to his publisher, he provided Scenarios for Cinematographers describing the episodes he had in mind for these three movements. In the opening movement, co-eds are being serenaded in a neighborhood university. In the second movement, the timid maid pleads for her safety while being pursued by a clever and relentless villain. The third movement pictures a dance on the village green. While critics agreed that the music was interesting and original, it met with the same fate as most of the movie music of the era. While Sousa wrote this suite in 1914, and he performed it with his band in that year and succeeding years, it was not published until 1922.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

Cwtegory: 1914