The Procession of Scholars

Composed 2020

Duration: 5 1/2 minutes [concert duration]

Grade 4 Concert Band

This pageantry of fanfares commemorates the grandeur of graduation. Filled with flexible, repeating sections, this piece works as a concert opener and/or commencement march. This ode of rewards will bring pride to the next generations of academics.

I got the idea of writing The Procession of Scholars from listening to other musicians, colleagues, and educators who would joke or are tired of playing and hearing the same music over and over again in graduation. And when people say the same music, they are most likely referencing Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. It’s been an American tradition since 1905 to perform Pomp and Circumstance for the processional at every graduation, to the extent to where it became de rigueur or the standard. But because of this, especially in today’s age of the 21st century, it’s become a “meme” of sorts between high school & college musicians who joke about playing it every year. Some of my friends, who just graduated this May of 2019, can be sick of hearing the same commencement music afterwards. This should never be the case for any kind of music, no matter what situation.

And so, I wanted to write something that can be a suitable alternative to perform as a processional in the slight chance that a program or school would like something different. Now, this is by no means a front to Elgar’s magnificent piece. Afterall, I am a huge advocate for these kinds of traditions. But to those who would like a change of pace, this composition is a shout-out to you. My only wish is that The Procession of Scholars will do justice to what should be one of the most significant events in a person's life, just like Pomp and Circumstance was for me when I graduated college. I hope you enjoy this ode to academics.