Right Left March: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Right Left March captures Sousa at his most playful without sacrificing musical craft. The gimmick of having musicians shout marching commands during rests in the Trio adds personality and builds ensemble cohesion through active participation, making this a memorable experience for both players and audiences. It's the kind of piece that reminds students why they love being in band.

The 6/8 time signature gives this march a bouncing, energetic quality that feels lighter than Sousa's heavier ceremonial works. When the Trio arrives and the band starts calling out marching steps, the piece transforms from concert performance into participatory theater, the kind of moment audiences remember long after the concert ends.

Concert bands at Grade 4 looking for repertoire that challenges musicianship while celebrating the joy of ensemble playing. This work works particularly well for groups preparing for contest or festival settings where personality and precision both matter.

• Lock the rhythm section into a crisp, lilting 6/8 pulse from the start; the march's character depends on rhythmic precision in the accompanying parts, not just the melodic line.
• Prepare the ensemble for their shout-out cues well in advance during rehearsal so the spoken sections feel natural and unified rather than self-conscious.
• Keep the Trio bright and buoyant; resist the urge to slow down during the marching command sections, as this can flatten the piece's forward energy.
• Balance the melody clearly over the accompaniment while maintaining the dancing quality of 6/8, which often gets lost if brass voices dominate.

Program this early in a concert to establish an energetic tone and build audience engagement through the novelty of the shouted commands. It pairs well with more serious Sousa marches or contrasting lyrical material that follows, giving the program variety in both character and style.

• Reading and performing in 6/8 time
• Maintaining forward momentum in lilting march tempo
• Precision in rhythmic ensemble playing, particularly in accompaniment voices
• Coordination of musical cues with non-melodic ensemble contributions (spoken parts)
• Stylistic understanding of the American march tradition