Gallant Seventh, The

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (ed. John R Bourgeois)


General Info

Year: 1922 / 2003
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Wingert-Jones Publications
Cost: Score and Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $8.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C 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
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Regimental Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Regimental Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

As former conductor of the United States Marine Band, Colonel John Bourgeois is in a unique position to carry forth the tradition of the great Sousa marches. His knowledge of performance practice in the Sousa band is seen throughout this fine march. The regimental trumpets and drums should stand behind the band for the most authentic musical effect. It is truly gallant!

- Program note by publisher


The march was written from the Seventh Regiment, 107th Infantry, of the New York National Guard and the conductor of that famous regiment’s band, Maj. Francis Sutherland. Southerland was a cornetist in Sousa’s Band but left that organization to enlist in the army after the United States entered the First World War. He became leader of the 27th Division (10th Field Artillery) Band during that conflict. He returned to the Seventh Regiment after the war, and his band members joined with the members of the Sousa Band to premier The Gallant Seventh march at the New York Hippodrome in November 1922. Written during the last decade of his career, this march is considered one of Sousa’s best.

- Notes from Program Notes for Band


It is amazing that this march, regarded as one of Sousa’s finest and certainly one of his most vigorous, was composed while he was recuperating from a broken neck. The march takes its title from the 7th Regiment, 107th Infantry, of the New York National Guard, whose history may be traced back to the Civil War. The conductor of the famous 7th Regiment Band was Major Francis Sutherland, a former Sousa Band cornetist.

Upon America’s entry into World War I, Sutherland left his position with Sousa to enlist in the army; he was made a bandmaster in the U.S. Field Artillery. Several other Sousa men then secured their release to enlist, some for service with Sutherland’s band.

Sutherland did not return to the Sousa Band at the war’s end; he accepted the position of bandmaster of the 7th Regiment. The regiment’s commanding officer, Colonel Wade H. Hayes, made a formal request of Sousa for a march. Sousa obliged, paying tribute to the organizational ability and professional standing of one of his band’s alumni. For the official send-off of the new march at the New York Hippodrome on November 5, 1922, Sutherland’s 7th Regiment Band augmented the Sousa Band on stage.

Although no less than seven other composers had also written marches for this regiment, Sousa’s was the only one to gain wide acceptance, and Sousa was named honorary bandmaster of the regiment. Many years later, Sutherland repaid his debt to Sousa in an appropriate way. He was one of eight founders of the living Sousa memorial known as the Sousa Band Fraternal Society.

- Program Notes from John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Bierley, P. (1973). John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works. University of Illinois Press; Urbana, pp. 46.
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). ‘’Program Notes for Band.’’ Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 552.
  • Sousa, J.; Bourgeois, J. (2003). The Gallant Seventh: For Concert Band [score]. Wingert-Jones Music: Kansas City, MO.