March 104

From Wind Repertory Project
Leroy Osmon

Leroy Osmon


General Info

Year: 1998
Duration: c. 2:45
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: RBC Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $40.00   |   Score Only (print) - $7.00


Instrumentation

  • Full Score
  • Flute (div.)
  • Oboe (div.)
  • Bassoon (div.)
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet (div.)
  • E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone (div.)
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone (div.)
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • B-flat Trumpet I-II
  • Horn in F I-II
  • Trombone (div.)
  • Euphonium (div.)
  • Tuba (div.)
  • Piano
  • Timpani
  • Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
*Bass Drum
*Crash Cymbal
*Drum Major Whistle (3: high, middle and low)
*Glockenspiel (2)
*Marching Machine
*Marimba
*Ratchet
*Snare Drum (high pitched)
*Suspended Cymbal
*Tam-tam
*Tenor Drum
*Triangle (2: high and low)
*Tubular Bells
*Woodblock
  • Players stomping


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

March 104 is another work in a series, suggested by University of Houston conductor Eddie Green, that offers contemporary techniques and an extended percussion section to young players. The march was inspired by the Prokofiev March, Opus 99. The original working title was March Op. 100, but after the initial research I decided to use the cat’s theme, somewhat distorted, from Peter and the Wolf. The piece was renamed March 104 based on misinformation given to me about the temperature of a cat. Several months later, I received a phone message from an associate that was somewhat alarming: “ I talked with my vet and he said that if your cat has a temperature of 104, he is a very sick cat!”

The work opens with a slow introduction that is mysterious in character, with an expanding dissonant chord which leads to a tempo change of a quarter note equals 104 (a secondary reason for the title). Like the Prokofiev march, the trumpet is featured in the first section, however, with a percussion ensemble accompaniment rather than full band. The second strain is improvisational in all parts except the percussion and the countermelody in the tenor sax, euphonium, bassoon, and one of the two bell parts being reminiscent of Karl King. The trio has an alarming introduction played on three different pitched whistles. There is a brief reference to the opening melodic material followed by a “sonic boom.” The band “marches off into the sunset” with a final quotation from Prokofiev in the trumpet part.

- Program Note from liner notes for Mark CD Dia de los Muertos


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources