Eternal Vigilance
Subtitle: The Long Brave Line
General Info
Year: 2007
Duration: c. 8:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Edward B. Marks Music Company through Hal Leonard Music
Cost: Score & Parts - $125.00 | Score Only - $25.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
Eb Contralto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Harp
Piano
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Bass Drum
- Cymbals (crash and suspended)
- Field Drum
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (Tam-tam)
- Snare Drum
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Eternal Vigilance (The Long Brave Line) is the result of a collaborative commission by the United States Air Force Academy Band, Lt. Col Steven Grimo - director; the United States Coast Guard Band, Lt. Kenneth Megan - director; the United States Military Academy Band, Maj. Timothy Holtan - director; and the United States Naval Academy Band, LCDR Melvin Kessler, director.
The two-part title is, in fact, a concise description of the composition. The first part comes from a quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson:
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
The second part is a variation on a West Point Motto: "The Long Gray Line"
It was the composer's intention to portray in music both the dedication of the men and women who have so valiantly served our country, and the youthful enthusiasm they display as they prepare to become leaders in their own right.
To that end, the composition begins with an introduction that pays homage to those who have gone before in the service of our country. This is followed by a solemn, noble theme that is like the voice of tradition from the past to present calling a new generation to service. The main body of the work is a series of march-like themes and idiomatic fragments, much in the tradition of collegiate activity. Throughout this section there a frequent melodic references to the various military organizations - one theme often playing off another. The music reaches a peak which leads into a full-band fanfare, and then a more developed restatement of the "noble" theme. A brief, but stirring "coda" brings the music to a climactic close.
- Program Note from Printed Score
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 Army Band (Ft. Myer, Va.) (Timothy J. Holtan, conductor) – 12 February 2017
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Apocalypse (1972)
- Appalachian Carol Festival (1983)
- Blithe Bells (as arranger) (1989)
- Bold Venture (1990)
- Carpathian Sketches (1978)
- Cliff Island Suite (1990)
- Chorale and Toccata (1967/1971)
- Colonial Airs and Dances (1987)
- A Commemorative Suite (1987)
- Concert in the Park (2004)
- Concerto for Band (1981)
- Concerto for Bass Tuba and Concert Band (1981)
- Concerto for Euphonium and Band (1985)
- Concerto for Percussion and Band (1984)
- Concerto No. 2 for Alto Saxophone (1977)
- Courage to Serve March (1971)
- Diamond Variations (1968)
- Eagle Rock Overture (1986)
- Epilogue: "Lest We Forget" (1992)
- Esprit de Corps (1984)
- Eternal Vigilance (2008)
- First Suite for Band (1995)
- Hebraic Rhapsody (2000)
- Heroic Saga (1986)
- Highland Fling (2005)
- In Sunshine and Shadows (2004)
- Japanese Prints (1976)
- Joan of Arc (2008)
- Jubilate (1978)
- The Last Full Measure of Devotion (1995)
- Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire (1997/2013)
- Litany (1981)
- Lord, Guard and Guide (1993)
- March Dramatic (1967/1996)
- March of the Dragonmasters (1984)
- Meditations on an Old Scottish Hymn Tune (1993)
- Mystic Chords of Memory (1999/2001)
- Old Time Spirit (1986/1997)
- Pastorale and Country Dance (1979)
- Potomac Festival Overture (1990)
- Preamble (1975)
- Prelude: Concert Liberte (1976)
- Prelude on an Old Southern Hymn (1983)
- A Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire. See: Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire
- Second Suite (1965)
- Shivaree (1976)
- Sinfonia Hungarica (1998)
- Sinfonia Noblissima (1965)
- Sinfonietta (1973)
- Stars and Bars (1965)
- Suite from "Edvard Munch" (1967/1996)
- Symphony for Band (1965)
- Symphony No. 2 (1976)
- Symphony No. 3 (2003/2018)
- Tableau (1982)
- The Tennessean March (1968)
- Testament (1988)
- Third Suite (1966)
- Three Chinese Miniatures (1993)
- To Music (2003)
- The Tour de Force March (1970)
- Triumph and Tradition (1985)
- Uncommon Valor March (1991)
- Under the Big Top (1987)
- Variants on the Air Force Hymn (2000)
- Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (1968)
- The Wall (1993)
- The World Turned Upside Down (1983)
Resources
- Jager, R. (2007). Eternal Vigilance: The Long Brave Line [score].E.B. Marks: [United States]