7 Hills March

Written for younger bands, this dark and original march keeps technical challenges within the grasp of a second or third year performer. Although not in a completely traditional form, 7 Hills March has enough repetition to make it accessible to young musicians and enough variety to make it interesting to both performers and audiences.

Program Notes

There is a region around Moscow known as Seven Hills. In writing this march for my friends in Hillsborough, I was inspired to write a march in a minor key, and when completed, it reminded me of the dark Russian folk music of that area. This march is completely original, however, and is written for young bands, keeping technical challenges within the grasp of a second or third year performer. The low voices play a prominent role at times, as you would expect from a march in a minor key. The clarinets take over in a major key at the trio, but the piece transitions back to minor with a dogfight strain, again lead by the low voices. Although not in a completely traditional form, this march has enough repetition to make it accessible to young musicians and enough variety to make it interesting to both performers and audiences.

Grade Level: 2
Copyright: 2020

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Instrumentation

Flute
Oboe (opt. Flute 2)
Bassoon (optional)
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
F Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (2 drums) (optional)
Bells (optional)
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum & Bass Drum