Yankee Doodle Bandy (Band Gr. 2.5)

Yankee Doodle Bandy is a theme and variations on the familiar tune, but with a twist. Throughout the piece melodies from classic band literature – some well known and others less so – provide interludes and counterpoint to the main melody. With a patriotic flare, Yankee Doodle Bandy is a fun concert piece with quotations from Sousa, Grainger, Holst, and others. Young players can look forward to getting to know these themes in their original settings. See if you can hear them all!

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 2.5 | Duration: 3:15

Instrumentation
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe (optional)
Bassoon (optional)
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

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

Timpani [3 drums]
Bells & Xylophone
Crash Cymbals & Triangle
Snare Drum & Bass Drum


Program Notes
The song Yankee Doodle holds a unique place in American culture. While the tune is thought to date back to 15th century Europe the lyrics as we know them are associated with the Revolutionary War. The British would sing it to mock the American “Yankees,” but the Americans soon adopted it as a song of defiance by adding verses that ridiculed the British troops and hailing their own commander, General George Washington.

Yankee Doodle Bandy is a theme and variations on the familiar tune, but with a twist. Throughout the piece melodies from classic band literature – some well known and others less so – provide interludes and counterpoint to the main melody. With a patriotic flare, Yankee Doodle Bandy is a fun concert piece with quotations from Sousa, Grainger, Holst, and others. Young players can look forward to getting to know these themes in their original settings. See if you can hear them all!