Bugler's Holiday

From Wind Repertory Project
Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (arr. Michael Edwards)


Subtitle: Bb Cornet Trio with Band


General Info

Year: 1954
Duration: 2:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Cornet I-II
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
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
Solo B-flat Cornet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This trio may have motivated more trumpet players to learn or improve their double-tonguing technique in the last four decades than any other piece of music. Although the Holiday is relatively uncomplicated, performers are motivated to show their ability with articulations, bell tones, and proper balance. Above all, it's fun to play and hear.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Bugler’s Holiday is one of the best-known pieces of band literature written by the band master Leroy Anderson (1908-1975). Anderson was born in Cambridge, Mass., and began studying piano and music at the New England Conservatory of Music when he was 11 years of age. In 1931, Anderson became director of the Harvard Band. During his four-year tenure with this group, he composed several pieces, one of which was accepted to be played by the Boston Pops. This piece, titled Harvard Fantasy, was a success and resulted in Anderson becoming a regular composer for the ensemble. In 1945, the Pops’ lead trumpet player, Roger Voisin, requested Anderson to compose an original piece for trumpet. The result was Trumpeter’s Lullaby.

It was not until 1954 that Anderson again composed a piece featuring the trumpet. He wrote Bugler’s Holiday as a solo piece for three trumpets accompanied by a band. At that time, Anderson had his own ensemble that was recording for Decca Records. He hoped Bugler’s Holiday would become a hit, possibly helping the group surpass the success of their previous gold-record album released in 1951.

The solo trumpet parts in Bugler’s Holiday are written to imitate the sound of a bugle, a brass instrument without valves that is commonly used for military calls and fanfares. Anderson intended for the soloists to stand in front of the ensemble instead of sitting in seats among the band. Since the premiere of Bugler’s Holiday 60 years ago, the piece has remained a favorite among crowds and trumpet enthusiasts.

- Program Note Travis Bender


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Missouri University of Science & Technology (Rolla) S&T Symphonic Band (David Samson, conductor) - 28 April 2023
  • Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (Halifax, N.S., Can.) (Brad Ritson) - 5 February 2023
  • Tufts University (Medford, Mass.) Wind Ensemble (John McCann, conductor) - 11 April 2022
  • Dartmouth College (Hanover, N.H.) Wind Ensemble (Brian Messier, conductor) - 25 May 2021 (Virtual)
  • Western Illinois University (Macomb) Wind Ensemble (Mike Fansler, conductor) - 1 May 2021
  • East Central Community College (Decatur, Miss.) Wind Ensemble (Angel Mondragon; Ladarrian Paten; Amber McDonald, trumpets) - 13 April 2021
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Penn.) Symphony Band (Jason Worzbyt, conductor) – 29 February 2020
  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony Group I (Daniel Crain, conductor) - 26 January 2020 (Severance Hall, Cleveland)
  • San Diego (Calif.) State University Wind Symphony (Shannon Kitelinger, conductor) – 5 October 2019
  • Golden Gate Park Band (San Francisco, Calif.) (Robert Calonico, conductor) – 29 September 2019
  • Corning Community Band (Elmira, N.Y.) (John Stranges, conductor) – 13 June 2019
  • Strafford Wind Symphony (Sanford, Me.) (Bruce Gatchell, conductor) – 25 May 2019
  • Central Iowa Wind Ensemble (Mark A. Doerffel, conductor) - 5 May 2019
  • Santa Monica (Calif.) College (Kevin McKeown, conductor) – 3 May 2019
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) Symphonic Band (Sharon Toulouse, conductor) – 2 May 2019
  • Stuart (Fla.) Community Concert Band (Jim LeBob, conductor) – 28 April 2019
  • Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.) Wind Ensemble (Jonathan Beckett, conductor) – 28 April 2018
  • University of Oklahoma (Norman) Sooner Band (Brian Wolfe, conductor) – 18 April 2019
  • Encore Concert Band (Mokena, Ill.) (Bill Schuetter, conductor) – 3 March 2019
  • Sumner All-County (TN) High School Honor Band (Denny Hawkins, conductor) - 23 February 2019


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Fernie) (1948/)
  • Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Torskangerpoll) (1948/2020)


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Leroy Anderson website Accessed 14 May 2021
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 15.
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