Ironclads (The Monitor and the Merrimack)

William Owens

Subtitle: The Monitor and the Merrimack

General Info

Year: 2012
Duration: c. 3:40
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music Company
Cost: Score and Parts - $55.00 | Score Only - $7.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo (optional)
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-IV, including:

Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Crash Cymbals
Bells
Brake Drum
Chimes
Gong
Suspended Cymbal
Tom-Tom
Triangle

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This programmatic work depicts the Civil War battle between the iron-sided ships Merrimack and Monitor. The introduction begins forebodingly by way of percussion and brass, signifying the initial meeting of the two titans. The music suddenly assumes an intense quick tempo, engaging various styles and volumes to represent the ferocity of the vessels in combat. Tonal dissonance and a flurry of percussion colors are used as well to symbolize the fury of battle and the rigid determination of both ships.

- Program Note from publisher

After the outbreak of the American Civil War, the Confederacy built a superior fleet with iron-clad ships. The USS Merrimack launched an assault on the Union warships and inferior wooden vessels. She ultimately met her match with the Union's armored challenger, the USS Monitor. The two ironclads shortly squared off and commenced battle, but after hours of fighting, neither vessel could claim an advantage.

Ironclads captures the fierceness and raw savagery of the battle that would change naval warfare forever. The introduction begins forebodingly by way of percussion and brass, signifying the initial meeting of the two titans. The music suddenly assumes an intense quick tempo, engaging various styles and volumes to portend the ferocity of the vessels in combat. Tonal dissonance and flurry of percussion colors are used as well to connote the fury of battle and the rigid determination of two factions interlocked in an infamous chapter of the most terrible war in American history.

-Program Note by the Aledo Middle School Honor Winds concert progra, 20 December 2013