Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa, Mvt. 1 after "The Washington Post": Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Stately and purposeful, transformed from the march's straightforward swagger into something more introspective and architecturally considered. The themes are recognizable, but Hearshen surrounds them with richer harmonic color and counterpoint, creating moments of genuine lyricism alongside passages that reclaim the march's essential energy.

Advanced concert bands (Grade 5) with strong section cohesion and the stamina to sustain sophisticated harmonic writing across a full movement. Conductors seeking a festival or concert centerpiece that uses familiar melodic material as a springboard for genuine artistic challenge will find this rewarding to prepare and conduct.

• Balance the enhanced harmonies in the woodwind choir during the thematic transformations; these aren't just doublings of the original tune but genuine countermelodic material that needs presence.
• Establish a clear rhythmic foundation in the low brass and percussion early; the march's character depends on rhythmic precision even as the harmonies become more complex.
• Shape the dynamic arcs within each section deliberately. This work asks for control across a wider dynamic and textural range than a traditional march, so transitions between forte passages and more transparent scoring need intentional phrasing.
• Rehearse the brass section alignment carefully when themes pass between parts; Hearshen's orchestration distributes motivic material across the section in ways that require clean handoffs.

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert or festival focused on American band repertoire, or as the anchor work in a program that explores how contemporary composers reimagine classic material. It pairs well with shorter character pieces or lighter works that can follow without overshadowing what comes after.

• Sustaining long melodic lines within complex harmonic textures
• Balancing foreground and background voices in thick orchestration
• Executing stylistically authentic march rhythm while responding to symphonic phrasing demands
• Listening across the ensemble to track thematic material as it moves between sections
• Controlling intonation in chromatic and extended harmonic passages