March For a Band So Mighty

Dedicated to the Wytheville Community College Concert Band and in memory of Dr. Jack White and Bill Svec

Composed 2022

Duration: 4 minutes | Grade 3 Concert Band

Dedicated to the Wytheville Community College Concert Band, this exciting march puts on a fun take on 2 supportive hymns, with great melodies and syncopations to make this piece very different from traditional marches.

Being a part of a loving community is one of the best and most important parts of being in an ensemble. When comradery combines with music, beautiful and meaningful music can be created. Great legacies all start out this way. So, when I received a commission from Director Frank Pugh and the Wytheville Community College Concert Band requesting me to write a march dedicated to its two beloved directors, Dr. Jack White and Bill Svec, and other late members of the ensemble, I knew something about this project was going to be unique, and I was excited to take part.

One nice aspect that the commission included was the integration of two hymns that were dear to Dr. Jack White and Bill Svec. “A Mighty Fortress” and “God of Our Fathers”. The main theme begins with “A Mighty Fortress” and “God of Our Fathers” begins the trio section. These two tunes have their own personality that ultimately complement each other with more glamour and charm than their original forms. And as a brass player it was nice to also hear that White was a trumpet player and loved the sound of the brass instruments. Dr. Svec had actually written arrangements of these hymns for brass to be played at White’s funeral, but both passed away around the same time as each other. It’s an honor to dedicate both of these men with these new arrangements of these hymns.

The stories I’ve shared with permission from the band passed on to every member of the community. And it is my hope that this new piece will continue to highlight these great memoirs. Dedications are very personal, which is why I love being a part of this. The goal of this project is not just to write another piece for a band but to honor its cherished members and the memories they share. This was a commission I am proud to be a part of.

INSTRUMENTATION

Piccolo                                                  Alto Saxophone 1                                   Trombone 3

Flute 1                                                  Alto Saxophone 2                                   Euphonium

Flute 2                                                  Tenor Saxophone                                   Tuba

Oboe                                                    Baritone Saxophone                                Double Bass (optional)

Clarinet in Eb (optional)                       Bb Trumpet 1                                        Timpani

Clarinet in Bb 1                                    Bb Trumpet 2                                        Mallet Percussion

Clarinet in Bb 2                                    Bb Trumpet 3                                            - Bells (Glockenspiel)

Clarinet in Bb 3                                    F Horn 1                                                   - Marimba

Bass Clarinet in Bb                               F Horn 2                                               Snare Drum

Bassoon 1                                             Trombone 1                                           Bass Drum

Bassoon 2                                             Trombone 2                                           Crash Cymbal

­­Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Triangle

Percussion 2: Crash Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Sleigh Bells

Mallet Percussion 1: Xylophone, Vibraphone

Mallet Percussion 2: Bells (Glockenspiel), Chimes (Tubular Bells)

——————————— PRICE: $85.00 ———————————