Block M

Jerry H. Bilik

Subtitle: Concert March

General Info

Year: 1955 / 1983
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00; (digital) - $75.00 | Score Only (print) - $10.00; (digital) - $10.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C 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, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Block M march refers to the familiar logo of the University of Michigan. Though written when the composer was only 22 years of age, this march features a mature style, with contrasting brass and woodwind figures, prominent use of syncopation, and a a driving tempo with a dramatic opening and conclusion.

- Program Note from Palatine Concert Band concert program, 17 March 2015

Media

Audio: Reference recording. The Washington Winds (Edward S. Petersen, conductor)
Audio MP3: Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra (Shizuo Z Kuwahara, conductor) – 2015

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Kentucky (Lexington) Concert Band (Emily Church, conductor) - 20 October 2021
Muskogee (Okla.) High School Symphonic Band (Bruce Thompson, conductor) – 3 March 2020
Washburn University (Topeka, Kan.) Band (J. Thomas Seddon IV, conductor) – 15 April 2019
California State University, Northridge, Wind Symphony (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) – 8 November 2017
Phoenixville (Penn.) High School Band (Justin McAdams, conductor) – 5 February 2016 – (West Chester University (Penn.) Concert Band Symposium)
Belleville (Ill.) Community Band (Kerry Welker, conductor) – 9 December 2015
Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Jeff W. Ball, conductor) – 21 December 2013 (2013 Midwest Clinic)
Palisades Charter High School (Los Angeles, Calif.) (Nathaniel Kirby, conductor) – May 2008

Works for Winds by This Composer

American Civil War Fantasy (1961)
American Variations (1970)
The Band Played On (1970?)
Block M (1955)
Concertino for Alto Saxophone and Band (1974)
John Denver: A Symphonic Portrait (as arranger) (1998)
The Line (2000)
Moon River (as arranger) (1961/1963)
Ogden Nash Suite (1959)
Overture Alfresco (1987)
Rhapsody on Russian Folk Songs (1961)
Suite Italienne
Symphony for Band (1972)
The Twelve Days of Christmas (1963)

Resources

Bilik, J. (1983). Block M: Concert March [score]. Belwin Music: Melville, N.Y.
Perusal score