Fantasy on "Yankee Doodle"

From Wind Repertory Project
Mark Williams

Mark Williams


General Info

Year: 1995
Duration: c. 6:25
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - $70.00   |   Score Only - $7.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
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 Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Claves
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Cowbell
  • Guiro
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks
  • Timbales
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Fantasy on "Yankee Doodle" is a free treatment of one of America's most famous early songs. It was commissioned by, and premiered by, The Bethlehem Central School District Band Festival in Delmar, NY, on March 16, 1995, with the composer conducting.

The work begins with a vigorous fanfare, leading into a humorous statement of the theme by solo tuba. This light, quirky treatment of the theme is followed by a dark, mood variant, featuring solo alto saxophone. A spirited allegro then transforms the mood to one of joyous expectation. After a lyric episode using fragments of the tune, a Latin percussion vamp eventually leads to a full statement of the theme. The final maestoso fanfare leads this work to a satisfying and exciting close.

- Program Note from score


Fantasy on “Yankee Doodle” is a free treatment on one of America’s most well known early songs. The words of Yankee Doodle were written by an English Army surgeon, Dr. Richard Schuckburgh. The song poked fun at untrained American troops during the French and Indian War in 1755. The soldiers liked the song instead, and it became well known by the time of the Revolutionary War. It was often sung by the colonists in battle and it was played as the British left after the surrender of Yorktown. The early Dutch settlers of New York called Johnny “Janke,” pronounced “Yankee.” Doodle meant “a simple, foolish person.”

Mark Williams masterfully transforms this simple melody by using a set of variations that showcases every section of the ensemble. Although opened by a humorous statement of the theme by solo tuba, it does not take long to realize this is not a novelty piece. The varied styles and moods are displayed in well-written music that is perfectly held together by the original theme.

It was commissioned by, and premiered at, the Bethlehem Central School District Band Festival in Delmar, New York, in 1995 with the composer conducting.

- Program Note from Roma Middle School Symphonic Winds concert program, 15 December 2016


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class B
  • Iowa: III
  • Louisiana: II
  • Michigan: Senior High B
  • South Carolina: IV
  • Virginia: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Tooele Valley (Utah) Wind Ensemble (James Cavan, conductor) - 11 November 2023
  • University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) University Band (Katlynn Ellis, conductor) - 9 March 2021
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) North Star Campus Band (J. Nick Smith, conductor) – 9 December 2019
  • Karl K. King Municipal Band (Ft. Dodge, Iowa) (Jerrold P. Jimmerson, conductor) – 1 July 2018
  • Roma (Texas) Middle School Symphonic Winds (Corey L. Graves, conductor) – 15 December 2016 (2016 Midwest Clinic)
  • The Eagles Band (Pittsfield, Mass.) (Carl Jenkins, conductor) – 8 November 2014
  • Keene (N.H.) State College Concert Band (Glen D’Eon, conductor) – 10 April 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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