Strategic Air Command

Clifton Williams

Subtitle: Concert March for Symphonic Band

General Info

Year: 1964
Duration: c. 4:14
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $65.00 | Score Only - $14.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Strategic Air Command March was written as a tribute to the United States Strategic Air Command (headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska) at the request of Herman G. Vincent, commander of the SAC Bands. According to Vincent, Williams didn't need much persuading -- the two musicians had been friends at Louisiana State University , and Williams had served his World War II military time in a U.S. Air Force band. The march was premiered at the SAC Band's annual concert in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 14, 1963, and was conducted by the composer.

Near the end of the march the "sonic booms" remind the listeners of the Strategic Air Command's mission of eternal vigilance.

Two years later, after Vincent became conductor of the Air Academy Band in Colorado, Williams honored another of his requests with one of his most impressive concert works, Ramparts, The -- it was dedicated to the Wing of Cadets.

- Program Note from March Program Notes

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

Seacoast Wind Ensemble (Exeter, N.H.) - 6 November 2021
McClellan College (Waco, Tx.) Symphonic Band (Jon Conrad, conductor) - 13 October 2020
Liberty Classic Community Band Festival (Williamsport, Penn.) (Arnald D. Gabriel, conductor) – 13 October 2019
North Dakota State University (Fargo) University Band (Warren Olfert, conductor) – 15 October 2018
University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Lakeshore Wind Ensemble (Marc Sackman, conductor) - 5 May 2018
Tarleton State University (Stephenson, Texas) Wind Ensemble (Gary Westbrook, conductor) – 9 October 2017
Charleston (S.C.) Community Band (Todd Jenkins, conductor) - 14 October 2012

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Variation Overture (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Barber) (1962/2021)

All Wind Works

Academic Procession (1961)
Air Force Band of the West March (1965)
Anitra's Tanz (as arranger) (1875/1965)
Arioso (1958)
Caccia and Chorale (1976)
Castle Gap (1964)
Concertino (1960)
Dedicatory Overture (1964)
Dramatic Essay (1958)
Fanfare and Allegro (1956)
Festival (1962)
The Hermitage (1976)
Hill Country Ballad (1953)
Killian March (1968)
Laredo (1964)
March Lamar (1966)
Pandéan Fable (1970)
Pastorale (1957)
The Patriots (1970)
Postwar Prelude (1943/2012)
The Ramparts (1967)
The Sinfonians (1960)
A Solemn Fugue (1958)
Sonata Allegro (1949/2012)
Songs of Heritage (1976/1999)
Strategic Air Command (1964)
Symphonic Dance No. 1, "Comanche Ritual" (tr. McBeth) (1965/2013)
Symphonic Dance No. 2, "The Maskers" (1964/1968)
Symphonic Dance No. 3, "Fiesta" (1964/1967)
Symphonic Dance No. 4, "Square Dance"
Symphonic Dance No. 5, "New Generation" (1965/2013)
Symphonic Essays (1963/2013)
Symphonic Suite (1956)
Variation Overture (1962)
Variation Overture (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Barber) (1962/2021)

Resources

Smith, Norman E. (1986). March Music Notes. Lake Charles, La.: Program Note Press, pp. 455.
Williams, C. (1964). Strategic Air Command: Concert March for Symphonic Band [score]. Southern Music Co.: San Antonio, Tex.