Last Stagecoach Heist, The

Travis J. Weller

General Info

Year: 2012
Duration: c. 1:52
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00 | Score Only - $6.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
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
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbals
Slapstick
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Temple Blocks
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Last Stagecoach Heist depicts the final criminal act in the career of Black Bart. It is energetic, daring and at times relentless. The percussion section plays a significant role, not only as the rhythmic driving force behind the band, but also as the creative effects heard to portray the scene. The strong low brass lines add a powerful force to the piece as Black Bart gets away with the loot one last time.

-Program Note from publisher

The late 1800’s in the American Old West produced a host of colorful characters who by all accounts became legends as gallant lawmen and infamous outlaws. Mr. Charles Earl Bowles, better known as Black Bart, was one such notorious outlaw who operated in Northern California and southern Oregon. Beginning in July of 1875 through his final robbery in November of 1883, Black Bart made daring thefts of stage coaches (mostly operated by Wells-Fargo). Though he received fame for these bold robberies, Bart was also known for his style and sophistication, and for holding up coaches with an unloaded shotgun, never harming a passenger, and was well-known for poetic messages left after his heists. Detectives eventually tracked Bart down only 9 days after his final heist, and after his trial it was determined he had conducted 28 robberies during his 8-year criminal career. After serving four years in jail for his crimes and receiving a pardon, it was reported the Bart moved to Harrisburg, Pa. The Last Stagecoach Heist depicts the final criminal act in the career of Black Bart. It is energetic, daring, and at times relentless – the better qualities of a man who lived a life of crime!

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

Maryland: II

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Maplewood (N.J.) Middle School 8th Grade Wind Ensemble (Chris Balas, conductor) - 11 April 2015
Eleanor Roosevelt (Greenbelt, Md.) High School Band - 2012

Works for Winds by This Composer

American Visions (Weller) (2009)
Apollo Arise (2018)
Chasing Mercury (2019)
Country Sketches (2014)
Dream Chaser (2012)
Eyes of the Dragon (2014)
Festival and Ballad for Winds (2011)
Festival Espirit (2013)
Flourishing Noels (2013)
Frontier Fought and a City Found, A (2010)
Hammer and Rail (2015)
I Bought Me a Band (2012)
Irish Jig for Young Feet (2009)
Journey to the Prairie (2010)
Jubilant Flourishes (2012)
Last Stagecoach Heist, The (2012)
Monsters of Myth (2013)
The Shady Grove (2017)
Songs of Soldiers (2017)
Tales of a Medieval Warrior (2010)
Yankee Fanfare (2013)

Resources