Forward March!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Murtha writes marches that sound complete without feeling overstuffed. The trio section gives clarinets genuine melodic presence while the rest of the band has something solid to anchor to, and that full band finish lands with real satisfaction on a first concert.

Straightforward and proud. The melody sits in a comfortable range, the harmonies move logically, and the overall arc gives performers something to build toward rather than just play through.

Any beginning band taking the stage for the first time needs a march that teaches ensemble fundamentals without becoming a slog to rehearse. This works equally well for a first concert in October or a summer band scrambling for repertoire that locks in quickly.

• Keep the opening march tempo steady but not rushed; younger players tend to accelerate when they feel confident, so use a slight check before the counterline enters.
• Balance the percussion break by having it sit slightly behind the beat rather than pushing ahead; this prevents the section from overshadowing the return to melody.
• Let the trio breathe as a moment of contrast; it's one of the few times clarinets carry the line alone, so resist the urge to fill every space with accompanying voices.
• Shape the final statement with a slight crescendo into the last measure; the band will want to hit that ending hard, and a deliberate build gives them something to execute together.

Open a concert with this to establish focus and energy before moving into more demanding material, or pair it with a lyrical ballad and a pops tune to give your ensemble a balanced first performance.

• Reading basic march form and phrase structure
• Balancing melody and countermelody within the same section
• Maintaining steady tempo in straightforward quarter-note and eighth-note patterns
• Executing short solo passages with confidence and support from accompanying voices
• Responding to conductor cues for section entrances and dynamic transitions