We Are Coming: Conductor Score

This is a Sousa march that most directors have never encountered, which alone makes it worth programming. Loras Schissel's editorial work restores a piece that disappeared from circulation, giving you a genuinely fresh addition to your grade 4 repetoire without sacrificing the compositional integrity audiences expect from Sousa. The march form is transparent and direct, which means rehearsal time pays off immediately.

The march carries the ceremonial weight and forward drive you expect from Sousa, but with the added dimension of its songlike origins. Underneath the brass and rhythm section pulse lives a lyrical quality that makes the piece feel both sturdy and expressive. It's patriotic without being bombastic, confident without pretension.

Concert band directors at the high school level or advanced middle school groups seeking repertoire that combines Sousa's musical reliability with the freshness of a rediscovered work. This score works equally well for full ensembles or slightly reduced configurations, making it accessible across different program sizes.

• Shape the phrases with clear arrival points rather than letting the march become metronomic; Sousa's melodies reward slight dynamic swelling at phrase peaks.
• Balance the low reed and brass foundation so the march sits solidly without overwhelming the upper voices, especially in the march sections.
• Conduct the straighter sections in 2 to maintain forward momentum and clarity of pulse across the ensemble.
• Use the contrasting strains to create distinct sonic colors; the shift between them should feel like a genuine musical event, not just a key change.

Program this as a concert opener or closer to establish energy and purpose with your audience. It pairs naturally with other band favorites from the early 20th century, or use it to anchor a concert theme around American musical heritage. The piece works in spring or fall concerts and requires no specialty staging.

• Conducting in 2 time while maintaining subdivisions and phrase awareness
• Balancing mixed-voice textures in march form
• Responding to clear phrasing and articulation changes across ensemble sections
• Maintaining rhythmic precision within a traditional march framework