We Walked with Heads Held High

We Walked with Heads Held High is a narrated work emphasizing one aspect of the American Civil Rights movement, the struggle for equality in public education. The piece is a tribute in honor of all African Americans who fought for equality in one of America’s most basic privileges, the right to receive a public education.

Program Notes

Commissioned by the Ponaganset Middle School Wind Ensemble, We Walked with Heads Held High is a narrated work emphasizing one aspect of the American Civil Rights movement, the struggle for equality in public education. The monumental decision in 1954, Brown versus the Board of Education, overturning segregation in public education, sparked a series of confrontations where certain factions were resistant to this decision. In particular, the ‘Little Rock Nine,’ nine African American students selected to be integrated into an all-white school, ran up against resistance which continued to escalate until action was taken by the President of the United States to resolve the matter.

Therefore, the piece is a tribute in honor of all African Americans who fought for equality in one of America’s most basic privileges, the right to receive a public education.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2006
Number of Players: Standard + 1
Duration: 4:30

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Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Clarinet in Bb 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Trumpet in Bb 3
Horn in F 1/2
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Narrator

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, finger cymbals, triangle)
Percussion 2 (triangle, crash cymbals, suspended cymbal, wind chimes, vibraslap, concert tom)
Percussion 3 (chimes, bells, vibraphone)