General Lafayette's March by R. Willis Music for Lafayette's Visit to the United States in 1824

“OUR NATION’S GUEST” MUSIC FOR THE VISIT OF MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE TO THE UNITED STATES 1824-25
Arranged by Jari Villanueva for small wind band.
This selection represents but a few of the many dozens of compositions and arrangements written to honor General Lafayette on his visit to the United States in 1824-25. At every stop, in every city, bands welcomed Lafayette, grand balls were held, and ceremony after ceremony commemorated his visit and his service to our new nation. Most of this music is unfortunately lost to us today. What remains is generally in the form of piano sheet music, but it is clearly evident from the inscriptions that these pieces were originally performed by military brass bands. This arrangement was carefully done in the style of the period with no modern harmonization or alteration to the original and represents, as closely as possible, the sound of the bands that Lafayette heard.
GENERAL LAFAYETTE’S MARCH
Composed and Dedicated to the Graduates of West Point of 1825
Richard Willis (-1830)
Richard Willis was born in and received his musical training in Ireland. He is said to have studied the Kent, or keyed, bugle with J.B. Logier in Dublin and to have done fieldwork as a collector of folk melodies in the Irish countryside. He moved to New York in 1816, gave several concerts, and offered lessons on various instruments. In 1817, Willis was hired by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY as Teacher of Music for the Academy Band. He became its first civilian leader, starting a tradition that lasted until 1972. Willis was a composer, arranger, and virtuoso performer on the Royal Kent (keyed) Bugle, which he introduced to American bands.
Soon after his arrival at West Point, Willis purchased two keyed bugles and instructed soldiers on performing on the instruments. As a keyed-bugle player Willis was considered the equal of Frank Johnson of Philadelphia and Edward Kendall of Boston. Some of his compositions were published in piano reductions, and some are held at the US Military Academy. General Lafayette visited the US Military Academy at West Point on September 14, 1824.
#lafayette #lafayette200 #AmericanFriendsofLafayette

[@didiersenecal5352]

Beautiful March. Merci

[@tapsbugler]

Many thanks! More are being posted today.

[@didiersenecal5352]

@@tapsbugler I’ll get later on your the longest day arr. would you be able to send me parts in different key like the horn for an Eb one Treble clef for trombone and Eb and Bb bass in treble clef to? With the 80th anniversary of the D day i could need that Many thanks

[@tapsbugler]

@@didiersenecal5352 send an email to [e-mail]

[@didiersenecal5352]

@@tapsbugler I will you’re a gentleman