Listen along with the score here: (52) Fightin' 55th March, by Dr. Daniel Thrower, for Brass Quintet & Percussion - YouTube
There is nothing more quintessentially military than the grand sound of marches at special military events. Hundreds of marches have served their purposes through the many decades of military tradition in the United States of America.
This 3.5-minute march was composed for the occasion of the change of command of the 55th Wing—“The Fightin’ 55th”—under Air Combat Command, located at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The ceremony took place on June 14, 2019, which was also Flag Day. The new march served as a grateful tribute to the outgoing Commander, Colonel Michael H. Manion, and a welcoming gesture to the new Commander, Colonel Gavin P. Marks. Printed copies of the score were presented to the Commanders before the ceremony, and the march was premiered as the final pre-ceremony musical selection.
The opening motifs are strongly reminiscent of the introductory measures of the “Air Force Song” most commonly played by Air Force brass quintets.
Keeping in tradition with the form of most marches, the “Trio” section presents new material in a new key (down a fifth), with a contrastingly quiet dynamic. The opening motif of the Trio strain is a mutation, or a paraphrase, of “Anchors Aweigh”, emphasizing the joint-force nature of the 55th Wing. The melody is repeated with a louder dynamic and a countermelody in the horn, and then is repeated once more with increased excitement in the accompaniment, variety of dynamics, and even a temporary key shift.
Straying from the form most used by the “March King”, John Philip Sousa, Dr. Thrower omitted a fourth or final strain, and instead he modulated the key back to the original B-flat major and brought back the melodic content from the first strain. This form predates Sousa, and was more commonly used in Europe and early America. It smacks of “sonata form”, and even the modern formal designation of “recapitulating march” alludes to sonata form. The final recapitulating strain repeats with an obbligato soaring above it in the first trumpet part, now on piccolo trumpet. The march ends with a short coda that brings back the opening motivic allusion to the Air Force Song.
Due to the selected formal structure, this march, “The Fightin’ 55th”, is much more unified than most typical marches. The very nature of military marches (including America’s beloved “Stars and Stripes Forever”) displays four or even five completely unrelated melodies, or strains, throughout. The incorporation of thematic structure similar to that found in sonata form indeed makes “The Fightin’ 55th” an appropriate and even artistic concert march.
Gilded Music Press specializes in brass music and pedagogical materials composed and crafted by Dr. Daniel Thrower. His expertise and experience in the music world are now available in printed or PDF format for the music world's benefit.
For questions, specific requests, or to commission a new work from Dr. Thrower, please contact us via email or phone, below.
"You and your compositions deserve first rate ensembles, they’re that good! It’s an honor to know you and, from time to time, celebrate your wonderful accomplishments."
Dr. Daniel N. Thrower
Owner
"Gilded Music Press" was created specifically to make Dr. Daniel Thrower's high-quality music available. Dr. Thrower has been composing music and writing educational supplements for decades. He describes his music as a "personal musical journal". From his work with military ensembles to faculty and students of all ages, his music and teaching materials are created to edify audiences, professional colleagues, students, and himself. Through "Gilded Music Press" the global music community benefits from his excellent research, experience, and creative output. Many have enjoyed and benefited from his work throughout the world, and you will too once you discover his phenomenal products!