Colossus of Columbia (1926)

Russell Alexander

Russell Alexander

General Info

Year: 1901/1926
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts - $25.00   |   Score Only - $4.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.

Instrumentation

Cornet Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe and C Melody Saxophone
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo-I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
E-flat Cornet
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion (3 players), including:

• Bass Drum
• Crash Cymbals
• Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The rhythmic drive and excitement of this march, written in 1901, reflect the composer's circus band experience. He had arranged all of the music and composed several marches during the five-year tour of Europe with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was in that fifth year that he wrote Colossus of Columbia and dedicated it to "the Continental Congress of Washington." Having experienced a variety of other governments, the homesick young composer must have regarded the achievements of his own America (Columbia) as "colossal."

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band

This 1926 edition is a re-issue of the original 1901 composition.

Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Ryan J. Nowlin, conductor) – 12 June 2019
• Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City) Concert Band (Patricia Brumbaugh, conductor) - 4 July 2017
• Windjammers Unlimited Russell Alexander Band (Liberty, N.Y.) (Andrew Glover, conductor) – 20 July 2015
• Gold Coast Wind Ensemble (Thousand Oaks, Calif) (Clinton H. Dawley, conductor) - 23 November 2014
• Allegheny College (Pa.) Band Camp for Adult Musicians (Michelle Rakers, conductor) - 27 June 2014

Works for Winds by this Composer

• Belford's Carnival (1897/1926)
• Burr's Triumphal March
• Colossus of Columbia (arr. Bainum) (1901/1969)
• Colossus of Columbia (1926) (1901/1926)
• Crimson Flush March, The (1897/1926)
• From Tropic to Tropic March (1898)
• Exposition Four, The (1903)
• International Vaudeville (1897)
• Memphis the Majestic March
• Olympia Hippodrome March (1898)
• The Southerner (arr. Bainum) (1908/1968)
• Steeplechase, The (1900)
• Storming of El Caney March (arr. Glover) (1898/1903/2014)

References

• Alexander, R. (1926). Colossus of Columbia March [score]. C.L. Barnhouse: Oskaloosa, Iowa
• Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 6.