Home > Marching Band Field Shows

BATTLE AT THE WEST CAMP

Phillip Ginn - Horns, Keyboard Percussion, Timpani
Noah Clark - Battery and Auxiliary Percussion

Written in 2009


Price: TBA
Availability: Not currently available for NCBA circuit until end of season; available for all other circuits.

Difficulty Level: 3

Listen to Battle At The West Camp *

Auxiliary percussion parts were written during the season as the music was being learned. Therefore, the current audio rendition does not contain auxiliary percussion parts. A new, complete audio rendition will be posted once the auxiliary parts have been added to the score.

* Audio renditions use sounds from Sibelius Sound Essentials and therefore may not fully represent the intention of the music or the intended final outcome.



A non-stop, single piece of music with very few breaks, Battle At The West Camp takes the audience through the start of battle during wartime all the way to victory. Run through the gamut of wartime events, from fanfare, death on the battlefield, the formation of camps, the march to battle, and the bloody battle itself. Triumph follows as the band proclaims their victory over the enemy with a slow, dramatic fanfare leading into a fast-paced conclusion.

The single piece of music itself is only 7 minutes, but was designed to allow for theatrical staging at the beginning of the show where the sounds of cannons and gunfire fill the field as the band charges towards their opening set. Theatrics are also accounted for before the battle as the band gets set at their battle stations, keeping an eye out for the enemy.

Originally commissioned by the 2009/10 West Campus High School Marching Band in Sacramento, CA under the direction of John Ousley.


Duration: 6:56 of written music. With theatrical staging sound effects, the full field show should be at least 8 minutes

Difficulty Level 3 for: Dynamic contrasts. Expansion of horn ranges. Rhythmic challenges from long, loud notes to quick, slurred 16th note runs and shorter rhythms. Fast keyboard runs and 4-mallet work. Intermediate to advanced rudimental ability required. Tempos range from 70 BPM to 160 BPM.


Instrumentation:

  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Bass Clarinet
  • Alto, Tenor, and Bariton Saxophone
  • Trumpet 1 & 2
  • Mellophone
  • Baritone
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Glockenspiel
  • Xylophone
  • Vibraphone 1 & 2
  • Marimba, both for 1 player and 2, as noted
  • Timpani
  • Auxiliary Percussion (Concert Bass, Suspended Cymbals, etc.)
  • Snares
  • Tenors
  • Basses (4)



PRODUCTION SUGGESTIONS

Use the colorguard to represent both the band's army, the enemy, and medics with a quick costume change.

Use plenty of classic military props, such as swords, rifles, and cannons.

Keep the theme closer to the American Revolution than more modern warfare.

During the pit feature, have the drum major "pick off" the enemy cologuard.

Other Products

  • Drill by Spencer Jepson - TBA

    • 5 Flutes
    • 7 Clarinets
    • 5 Alto Saxes
    • 2 Tenor Saxes
    • 6 Trumpets
    • 2 Mellophones
    • 2 Baritones
    • 3 Trombones
    • 4 Tubas
    • 3 Snares
    • 2 Tenors
    • 4 Basses
    • 8 Colorguard
    • 1 Drum Major (for staging)

    Personnel list reflects the numbers for the 2009/10 West Campus Marching Band. Customization is available for a small fee.