The Vikings: 2nd Trombone

Boysen respects the march form enough to subvert it. By layering dark, aggressive harmonies and an unsettling character over a structure your band already understands, he creates something that feels both familiar and genuinely unsettling. The result is a concert piece that holds attention precisely because it refuses to be charming.

Menacing and rhythmically propulsive. The piece channels the energy and forward motion of a march but wraps it in dark, dissonant colors and an aggressive character that never settles into comfort. It feels cinematic, like underscore for something ominous.

Concert bands at Grade 4 level seeking repertoire with substance and personality. This piece works for groups ready to move beyond traditional march conventions and explore more complex harmonic and textural ideas.

• Establish a clear pulse in the opening section; the darker tone can obscure rhythmic precision if the conductor doesn't anchor the tempo.
• Balance the piccolo solo in the trio so it cuts through without overwhelming the harmonic foundation underneath it.
• Shape the key changes intentionally rather than treating them as mere structural markers; each modulation should feel like a shift in mood or intensity.

Program this as a concert centerpiece or festival selection where you want to surprise an audience expecting lighter fare. Its thematic darkness pairs well with Halloween-themed concerts or autumn programming, and it provides sharp contrast to lyrical or traditional march selections on the same program.

• Reading harmonic density and dissonance within a familiar march structure
• Executing precise rhythmic drive through agitated material
• Balancing featured solo lines (piccolo) within fuller ensemble texture
• Interpreting character and mood through articulation and dynamic control