March Chromatica: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Mark Williams
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0001248
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Description
Destined to become a standard of the school band repertoire, the melodies of this classic old-time 6/8 march are based on the chromatic scale. In fact, the melodies and countermelodies in the "trio" section are pure chromatic scales (moving in opposite directions), and the superb harmonization makes it sound fantastic. You have to hear it to believe it! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Challenger Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
58
SKU:
00-PK-0001248
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Williams
Mark Williams built a career composing and arranging for school ensembles across North America and beyond. With a catalog exceeding 200 published works and credentials that include a co-authorship of the Accent on Achievement Band Method, Williams shaped the repertoire that generations of young musicians first encountered. His influence extended through clinician residencies in 34 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia, where he advocated for accessible, engaging music that didn't compromise musicianship.
An educator first, Williams specialized in elementary band instruction throughout Washington state, grounding his compositional voice in the real needs of developing ensembles. His formal training at Eastern Washington University combined with his work as a woodwind performer and arranger for the 560th Air Force Band informed his distinctive orchestration and pedagogical clarity. He received recognition from the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards, and later served as conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band.
Why we love this
This march works because Williams takes a technical constraint, the chromatic scale, and turns it into something genuinely musical rather than academic. The trio's mirror-image chromatic lines create an unexpected moment of sophistication at an approachable level, and the harmonization underneath actually makes it sound rich enough to hold an audience's attention. It's the kind of Grade 1.5 piece that doesn't feel like a stepping stone.
What to expect
Bright and purposeful, with a traditional march stride that feels familiar from the opening. The trio shifts into something more intricate and surprising, a moment where the band discovers that chromaticism can be beautiful rather than just technical. The superb orchestration makes the ensemble sound more developed than it actually is.
Who it's for
Any concert band at the Grade 1 to 2 level seeking repertoire that teaches harmonic thinking through an approachable melody. Directors looking for a march with substance and pedagogical merit will find Williams's chromatic concept both musically satisfying and straightforward to rehearse.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady, lilting pulse in 6/8 by thinking of the measure as two beats rather than six; this settles the ensemble's groove and prevents the march from feeling rushed.
- Balance the chromatic lines carefully in the trio section, particularly where they move in contrary motion; highlight the outer voices so the harmonic effect lands clearly rather than sounding muddled.
- Use a slight taper into phrase endings to preserve the march's forward motion while still shaping the melodic line; avoid letting sections breathe so long that momentum stalls.
- Pay attention to dynamic continuity across the repeat; adjust balances if the band tightens or loosens tension on the reprise, since familiarity can flatten what should remain energetic.
How to use it
Use this to anchor a concert's opening or as the centerpiece of a "march show" program pairing it with other Grade 1 to 2 marches. Its straightforward demands make it ideal for winter or spring concert slots where you want to showcase ensemble technique without overextending rehearsal time, or program it early in the year when younger players are still building confidence.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining steady pulse in 6/8 meter
- Reading and balancing chromatic melodic lines
- Playing contrary-motion harmony (trio section)
- Controlling dynamic continuity in march form
- Maintaining ensemble blend while articulating at tempo