Mercury's March

Laura M. Kramer

Subtitle: For beginning band with flex instrumentation

General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 2:30
Difficulty: I (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: LMK Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $56.00; (digital) - $42.00

Instrumentation (Flexible)

Each wind section contains four parts (I-II-III-IV)

Full Score
C Treble Clef

Flute
Oboe

B-flat Treble Clef

B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet

E-flat Treble Clef

E-flat Alto Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone

F Treble Clef

Horn in F

C Bass Clef

Bassoon
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

Snare Drum
Bass Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Triangle
Tom-Toms

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Mercury’s March depicts imaginary scenes in a day of the life of Mercury, the god of trade and messenger of the gods. First, the low brass introduce a sly yet bold mantra that depicts Mercury boldly marching through town. During his patrol, he flaunts his caduceus, a wand entwined with two serpents that has magical powers to put mortals to sleep, raise the dead, and turn anything it touches into gold.

Known for trickery, his antics can be heard through glissandi in the trombones as well as a second melody that slithers and wanders. This second melody portrays Mercury’s strength through the use of the Dorian mode. By highlighting the raised sixth scale degree, triumphant harmonies are created. As the piece progresses, customers trading and bantering with Mercury can be heard in short, accented figures that pass from one group of instruments to another. And, sometimes, clashing notes can even be heard.

Special thank you to Professor Frank Ticheli for providing the template and resources for creating adaptable works such as this one!

- Program Note by composer

Performance Notes

Full-flex Instrumentation:
This work has four parts with full-flex instrumentation. It is arranged so that any 4 instruments or groups of instruments could perform it - The minimum required is one instrument per part. For example, if only two flute and two clarinet students are present for rehearsal, all four parts (including the bass line) may be distributed to those instruments. Another scenario could be:

Part 1: Flute and Clarinet
Part 2: Trumpet
Part 3: Alto Saxophone and F Horn
Part 4: Trombone and Baritone Saxophone

\ Individual Parts:

Flute & Oboe:
– Occasionally, there are divided notes (Ex.: Fl/Ob Part 2, m. 46). The lower notes are meant to provide alternatives to the higher ones as needed. If possible, the top note should be played.

Low Brass Part 4:
- Only one of the two octaves written need to be played. The lowest notes are for tuba, if available. If no tuba, trombones and/or baritones may play the top notes. Or a fifth part could be added by playing both octaves.

Alternative Percussion:
- I provided this part for situations where access to instruments may be limited or where a full percussion section may not be present. In these cases, this alternative part may replace the other four percussion parts. There is no specific instrument specified. Instead, it could be played by just about anything! It could be a snare drum, hands on a desk, or even homemade percussion. Creative doublings with different instruments (or like instruments) are also possibilities.

Media

Audio: Reference recording. MIDI Realization

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

Mercury's March (Flex instrumentation) (2019)

All Wind Works

Mercury's March (Flex instrumentation) (2019)
Steps (2015/2019)
That Takes Care a' That (2015)

Resources

Perusal score
Laura M. Kramer website Accessed 21 July 2020