Forward March!: Flex Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Paul Murtha
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK01252084
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Description
Paul has carefully adapted his popular march for young players into the 4-part easy flex format. Following a traditional march form, "Forward March!" features strong melodies, easy counterlines, a trio section, and strong finishing strain.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01252084
More about this title
About the Composer: Paul Murtha
Paul Murtha has built a prolific career writing accessible wind band repertoire that balances musical substance with playability for developing ensembles. His arrangements and original compositions populate festival repertoire lists and contest programs across the country, earning respect from directors who know that Murtha's pieces engage students without sacrificing musicianship.
Why we love this
Murtha understands what makes a march work for young players: strong, singable melodic material that carries the piece, clear harmonic support from the counterlines, and structural breathing room in the trio. The flex format means you're not turning anyone away from rehearsal because of instrumentation, and the Grade 1.5 level gets Grade 2 energy and style.
What to expect
Straightforward and spirited. The melody steps forward with confidence while the harmony gives it a solid foundation. The trio offers a moment of tuneful release before the final strain snaps things back into focus, the way a well-crafted march should.
Who it's for
Young ensembles building march repertoire and directors fielding mixed or changing instrumentation. Flex Ensemble format means you teach one piece, not five different arrangements, and every student walks away having played a real march.
How to get the most out of it
- Build momentum into the final strain by gradually increasing dynamic intensity from the trio's softer section, giving the ending real impact without requiring technical heroics.
- Lock the melodic entrances together in the opening; clean unisons and octaves in the first phrase set the march's march character immediately.
- Shape the trio section with a lighter touch in dynamics and articulation to create genuine contrast, then use that reentry into the final strain as a structural return point.
- Attend to the counterline rhythms so they anchor rather than compete with the main melody; balance is everything in flex writing where voices share the same range.
How to use it
Open a concert or festival performance with this as your statement piece, signaling that your ensemble values musicality and style. It also works well mid-program to reset audience energy between longer or more complex works.
Skills your students will build
- March style articulation and phrasing
- Countermelody independence and balance
- Form recognition (march structure with trio and final strain)
- Dynamic shaping across multi-section forms
- Playing with forward propulsion and clear rhythmic pulse