The Great Escape March: Concert Band Conductor Score

$10.00 USD

The Great Escape March: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: The Great Escape March: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-CB9531C
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Elmer Bernstein / arr. Robert W. Smith

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-CB9531C

$10.00

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The Great Escape March is the title theme from the classic motion picture of the same name. In the style of a true concert march, the opening is bold and bombastic, with the following segments a blend and balance of melodies flowing throughout the woodwinds and brasses. The final statement is the sound of a troop of soldiers marching off into the distance. Captivating! (2:19)

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Series: Pop Young Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 029156176858

SKU: 00-CB9531C

More about this title

About the Composer: Elmer Bernstein

Elmer Bernstein (1919-2004) composed over 150 film scores across a career spanning five decades, earning 14 Academy Award nominations and establishing himself as a master of orchestral storytelling. His work ranged from intimate dramas to sweeping epics, and he brought the same compositional rigor to his film music that classical composers brought to concert halls.

Bernstein's gift for melody and his understanding of how music deepens narrative made him a natural choice for films requiring strong thematic material. The Great Escape showcases his ability to write music that captures action, camaraderie, and the human spirit, qualities that have made his themes enduringly popular with audiences and musicians alike.

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Why we love this

Robert Smith's arrangement preserves the iconic march structure and memorable themes while keeping the orchestration clean and accessible for Grade 2 bands. The progression from bold opening through flowing woodwind and brass dialogues to the final march-off moment gives conductors a complete dramatic arc to shape, and the moderate length means students stay engaged without fatigue.

What to expect

Purposeful and cinematic. The piece opens with unmistakable brass brilliance, then settles into a sophisticated exchange of melodies that feel both military and lyrical. The final passage captures that specific moment of soldiers marching away, complete with the visual drama the film promised.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level, particularly those looking to program recognizable film themes that engage audiences without requiring advanced technical demands. This works equally well for young bands seeking confidence-building repertoire and for mature ensembles wanting a crowd-pleasing opener or closer.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the brass sections through the middle segment where melodies pass between woodwinds and brasses; clarity matters more than volume.
Shape the opening fanfare with rhythmic precision and crisp articulation to establish the march character immediately.
Build energy gradually toward the final statement rather than sustaining full volume throughout; the march-off passage needs room to grow.
Use the conductor score's cues to track where thematic material transfers between sections and guide players to support rather than dominate when not carrying the lead.

How to use it

Pair this with other film themes or pops arrangements for a concert built around recognizable material that resonates with families and younger audience members. It also works effectively as a program opener, where the bold fanfare and clear dramatic structure set a confident tone for the concert ahead.