March Onward (Onward Christians Soldiers)

Grade Level 2

Year: 2015

Type: March

Composer: James Curnow

Program Notes:

Capturing the joyful spirit of this great text by Sabine Baring-Gold (1834-1924) and the martial style of music by Sir Arthur S. Sullivan (1842-1900, famous for his collaborations with Sir William Gilbert), this brief, capricious march exudes energy and exuberance as it marches along.

The text was originally written in 1864 for the children of Horbury Bridge (England) to sing while marching during a procession “with cross and banners.” Though the march is not in a traditional march form, it is a march in all other aspects of the term – “A composition of strongly marked rhythm, suitable for timing the steps of a body of persons proceeding at a walking pace.”

Join the procession!

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)