National Fencibles (Sousa)

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa


General Info

Year: 1888
Duration: c. 3:15
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute I
Flute II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo-I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
E-flat Soprano Cornet
B-flat Cornet Solo-I-II
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III
Tenor Horn I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Drums, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The National Fencibles of this march's title were a popular drill team of Washington, D.C. The words to the trio of the march reflect their esprit de corps:

Forward to battle, the trumpet is sounding;
'Come if you dare!' We loudly sing.
Shoulder to shoulder, with hearts rebounding;
Onward we march, with the Fencibles' swing.

- Program Note from John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works


The dedication on the score reads, "To the officers and members of the National Fencibles of Washington, D.C."


This Sousa work was first performed on the grounds of the White House by the United States Marine Band in 1888, under the direction of the composer. The term “Fencibles” refers to the army regiment or militia that is now known as the National Guard.

- Program Note from The Instrumentalist, Feb. 2014, p. 32


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • West Valley High School (Yakima, Wash.) Concert Band (Kirk Knight, conductor) - 3 November 2022
  • Los Alamos (N.M.) Community Winds (T. Edward Vives, conductor) – 15 October 2016
  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Ryan J. Nowlin, conductor) – 24 March 2016
  • Oakland (Calif.) Municipal Band (Troy Davis, conductor) – 12 July 2015

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Aarhus, Craig. "Four Accessible Sousa Marches." NBA Journal, Winter 2024, pp. 46-48.
  • Bierley, Paul E. (1973). John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works. Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Press, page 61.
  • Sousa, J. (1888). National Fencibles March [score]. Carl Fischer: [New York].