Fort McHenry Suite

From Wind Repertory Project
Julie Giroux

Julie Giroux


General Info

Year: 2000
Duration: c. 9:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musica Propria
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $125.00   |   Score Only (print) - $30.00


Movements

1. Rockets' Red Glare – 2:55
2. Dimly Seem through the Mists of the Deep – 3:45
3. When Freemen Shall Stand – 2:50


Instrumentation

Full Score
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 Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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
Trombone III/Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Military Drum
  • Piccolo Snare Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-Tom


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The titles of the three movements, The Rockets’ Red Glare, Dimly Seen Through the Mists of the Deep and When Freemen Shall Stand, are quotes taken directly from the first, second and fourth verses of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Movement I - The Rockets’ Red Glare depicts the siege of Fort McHenry -- a bombardment of rockets, cannon blasts, flying mortar, bricks and stones. A highly energetic and dark interpretation.

Movement II - The second and fourth verses to the Star-Spangled Banner, not well known to most Americans, are highlighted musically and optionally by narrations in the second movement. Dimly Seen Through the Mists of the Deep is a celebration of the hope, pride and honor the defenders must have felt to still have a flag (measuring 30 feet by 42 feet, made especially to taunt the British) flying over them after such a costly battle.

Movement III - When Freemen Shall Stand is an attempt to capture that multitude of patriotic feelings we share as Americans -- the stand we take every day -- the stand our military takes on our behalf around the globe and the countless times that that has been done in the name of freedom during the history of our nation.

- Program Note from publisher


Commissioned by the United States Air Force Band of Liberty, Major Alan C. Sieracha, Commander/Conductor.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • East Tennessee State University (Johnson City) Concert Band, (Reilly Fox, conductor) - 12 October 2023
  • Dallas (Tx.) Winds (Jerry Junkin, conductor) - 4 July 2023
  • Baldwin-Wallace University (Berea, Ohio) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Brendan Caldwell, conductor) - 11 November 2022
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, Concert Band (Ray Stewart, conductor; Catherine Daniels, Nicholas Farrauto, narrators) – 21 November 2019
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam R. Williamson, conductor) - 4 August 2019 (Bay Harbor, Mich.)
  • Yelm (Wa.) High School Wind Ensemble - 2015


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources