Huntress, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Karl King

Karl King (arr. Gene Milford)


General Info

Year: 1916 / 2014
Duration: c. 2:20
Difficulty: III-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ludwig Masters
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $10.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Wood Block


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This appealing circus march was composed in 1916 by Karl L. King (1891-1971), one of the most popular and prolific march composers of all time, while he was leader of the Sells-Floto Circus Band. Scored in cut-time meter, marked “Brisk March Tempo,” the work follows traditional march form and modulates at the trio. Unique to this march is the ragtime woodwind obligato for the flutes and clarinets in the trio. A colorful woodblock part adds to the ragtime feel.

-Program Note from The Instrumentalist, August 2014, p. 43


The Huntress March was composed in 1916 while King was directing the circus band of the combined Sells-Floto and Buffalo Bill Wild West Shows. Like the 40 or so marches he had already written -- he was 25 at the time -- this one was put to good use in a large number of circuses. Some used the work for part of the opening overture or the aerial ladders; Merle Evans like the low-brass parts and preferred to use the march for the horse or the perch acts. King conducted most of his marches at tempos well above the "standard" 120 beats per minute; for the Anthology of Circus Music record (with players from the New England Conservatory) Evans used a tempo of approximately 130 for The Huntress.

-Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Another stellar march from one of the masters of the genre, The Huntress has all of the great melodies, countermelodies, and bold brassiness that made Karl King so popular. Gene Milford has skillfully adapted instrumentation to the modern concert band and unified dynamics and articulations to make this work readily accessible to bands everywhere.

-Program Note by the Vandercook College of Music Symphonic Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Coast Guards (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Clark) (1942/2009)


All Wind Works


Resources

  • King, K.; Milford, G. [n.d.]. The Huntress [score]. LudwigMasters Publications: Boca Raton, Fla.
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 345.