Paul G Young

The Thunderer March Paul G Young

Scroll below for a video of the score for trombone choir as played in Finale. Programming this arrangement would be an ideal way to feature the trombone or entire brass section of your high school or small college band. It is arranged for a trombone or brass ensemble of 6 parts. Those parts could be doubled as needed between trombones, trumpets, Horn in F, baritones, and tubas for flexible programming. Playing in the concert keys of Eb and Ab major (range extends to high concert G in parts 1 and 2) will present minimal challenges. Performing quick articulations in cut-time can be somewhat demanding, but the arrangement is very playable and provides young musicians an excellent, collaborative learning opportunity as they learn the constructs of an important genre of American music. The Thunderer March, composed in 1889, was dedicated to Columbia Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, of Washington, D. C. Sousa had been "knighted" in that organization three years earlier. The Thunderer was Mrs. Sousa's favorite march, according to their daughter, Helen. She also suggested that the "thunderer" might have been her father's salute to the London Times, which was known as "the thunderer." The Thunderer was the election theme for ABC News from 1968 to 1972. The Thunderer March is one of Sousa's best-known marches. Your students and audiences will love it. So will you!