Bells of Freedom

Here's a tasty little march in a straight-ahead style that is sure to appeal to your beginning band. Bells of Freedom is aptly titled, too, and its patriotic feeling is enhanced by a few phrases of America.

Program Notes

Bells of Freedom is a concert march written for the beginning band. It has patriotic overtones since the melodic material for the first and second strains borrows motives from the Star-Spangled Banner and the ending quotes the last phrase of the National Anthem. Additionally, the feature of chimes in the percussion carries patriotic connotations.

There are a few issues that will make this march a bit more challenging than the standard fare of Grade I band works. First, there is a feature by the chimes. Secondly, the range of flute extends to the high C, which may be a note that has not been taught at this early stage, but certainly one in which the fingering can be easily learned.

-David R. Gillingham

Grade Level: 1.5
Copyright: 2002
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 3:40
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Programming: Patriotic
Category: Concert Band

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Instrumentation

Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet 1/2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet 1/2
Horn in F
Trombone
Baritone TC/BC
Tuba

Percussion 1 (chimes, bells)
Percussion 2 (triangle, crash cymbals, xylophone)
Percussion 3 (snare drum)
Percussion 4 (tom-tom, bass drum, suspended cymbal)