Let the Flag of Freedom Wave: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By James Swearingen
Grade: 2
Item: 98-DB1279
$80.00
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Description
The legacy of the march is rich and steeped in tradition. Now you can bring the spirit of national unity to your next concert with this easy original march by James Swearingen. Complete with all the elements found in more difficult marches, this is an excellent way to let your students shine and invigorate your audience. Sure to work with smaller instrumentation, Let the Flag of Freedom Wave is ideal as a concert piece or festival march!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1279
More about this title
About the Composer: James Swearingen
James Swearingen stands among the most prolific and performed composers for school bands today. His catalog spans decades of accessible, musically rewarding works that help young musicians develop technique while experiencing genuine artistic satisfaction.
Swearingen's gift lies in writing music that respects the capability of developing players while never condescending to them. His marches, in particular, have become staples in school band repertoire because they balance melodic appeal with structural integrity, allowing directors to program meaningful concert music at any level.
Why we love this
This march delivers the complete march experience without requiring a bloated instrumentation or advanced technical demands. Swearingen knows exactly what makes a march work for audiences and students alike—memorable melody, clear structure, and that unmistakable energy—and he's packed it all into a piece that even smaller bands can perform with confidence.
What to expect
Straightforward and buoyant, with the kind of infectious rhythmic momentum that gets audiences engaged immediately. The melody sits in a comfortable register for young players and carries the piece forward with genuine warmth rather than bombast.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking a full-featured march that works whether you have 40 players or 60. Directors programming mixed-difficulty concerts will find this piece polishes programs without requiring extra rehearsal time for technical issues. It's equally effective as a festival entry or a patriotic concert closer.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening melodic phrases with gentle dynamics rather than uniform volume; this lets the tune sing even at modest volume levels and keeps the march from sounding thin.
- Lock the snare drum and bass drum together from the start, establishing a rock-solid rhythmic foundation that allows the rest of the band to sit comfortably on the beat.
- Bring out inner voice movement during transitions and the trio section; Grade 2 marches often bury interesting harmonic motion in middle parts, and revealing it adds sophistication to the overall sound.
- Keep the tempo steady and marching; resist the urge to slow down during tutti sections or ritardandos, which easily betrays uncertainty in younger ensembles.
How to use it
Place this in the second or third slot of a concert to establish ensemble confidence and energy early. It pairs well with lyrical selections that follow, creating natural variety in mood. The patriotic context makes it especially fitting for spring concerts, Americana programs, or closing numbers where audience connection matters.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady tempo through sectional entrances and transitions
- Balancing melodic prominence with inner harmonic voices
- Executing clean articulation in syncopated rhythmic figures
- Responding to conductor cues for dynamic shape and phrasing
- Building confidence through accessible yet musically complete material