More Thunder, More Blazes (Band Gr. 4.5)

More Thunder, More Blazes launches from the familiar motives of the well-known Fučik march from which it draws its title, then uses those themes as a backdrop for the ensemble and soloists to show off with exuberant feats of musical skill. In More Thunder, More Blazes there's no need for the rest of the circus as the musicians themselves are the stars of the show!

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Ruby Band Series
Level: 4.5 | Duration: 3:10

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Woodblock, Bass Drum, Triangle
Percussion 2: Medium and Very Small Crash Cymbals

Program Notes
More Thunder, More Blazes is a free elaboration that re-imagines the well-known Julius Fučik march from which it draws its title. The idea developed during the unexpected year-long hiatus that began in early 2020, effectively canceling more than a season of performances for the Louisville Concert Band and other ensembles around the world. Throughout that period, the musicians wondered about and ached for the time when we would play together again. Since the Fučik march had been performed during the season prior to the shutdown, its themes seemed to be a natural point of departure for a new setting composed with the optimism that there would indeed be a time for More Thunder, More Blazes! Listeners, of course, will be reminded of how circus bands once used such themes to spur on audience excitement by accompanying the amazing acrobats, daring trick-riders, and other stars of the big top. While launching from familiar motives, this setting creates opportunities for soloists and the ensemble itself to perform their own amazing feats. In More Thunder, More Blazes there's no need for the rest of the circus as the musicians themselves are the stars of the show!