Bonnie Eloise

Composer picture desired

Subtitle: The Belle of the Mohawk Vale

General Info

Year: 1858 / 2015
Duration: c. 2:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Brass Band
Publisher: Daehn Publications, available through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $72.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.00

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbals
Field Drum
Orchestra Chimes
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This favorite from the Civil War era opens with hearty cadence of snare drums and field drums, and then fifes (piccolo and flute) are added. The traditional tune is blended with original material in this fine arrangement.

- Program Note from publisher

Bonnie Eloise was remembered as one of the songs associated with the very start of the Civil War. Many accounts mention it being played by bands in 1861. It was used by both the Union and Confederate bands, but as the war went on it was used more by the Confederates, probably because more pro-Union songs were being written than pro-Confederacy.

Bonnie Eloise is written in an A-B-A form that was not uncommon. Many times two or more songs would be combined in an arrangement of marching tunes. The opening measures of Bonnie Eloise use just the fifes (piccolo and flute) and drums. (Music of this type was called “field music” and was used specifically for marching purposes.) The piece evolves into the instrumentation of the full band, as would have been played by the regimental bands of the day (of course, they were all brass bands—no woodwind instruments involved.)

The “A” section of the piece is the melody of Bonnie Eloise (from two different sources—the 1st measure is slightly different in the two.) The “B” section is original music by the composer. I hope that this piece will serve to be both entertaining and informative to today’s audiences.

This arrangement of Bonnie Eloise was written for my very good friend, Madison O’Brien. Maddie studies euphonium with me and is a very accomplished Civil War reenactor.

- Program Note by arranger

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Thomas S. Hart Middle School (Pleasanton, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Dennis Aquilina, conductor) – 21 April 2017 (2017 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
Eastman Rochester New Horizons Combined Bands (Bruce Burritt, conductor) – 16 May 2016

Works for Winds by This Composer

Bonnie Eloise (arr. Knoener) (1858/2015)

Resources

Perusal score
Thomas, J.; Knoener, R. (2015). Bonnie Eloise : The Belle of the Mohawk Vale [score]. Daehn Publications: New Glarus, Wisc.