The Valiant green company
INFORMATION
Instrumentation: Concert Band
Duration: 03’ 10”
Year of Composition: 2013
Commissioned by and dedicated to the Nagoya Minami High School Green Band, Nagoya, Japan for their performance at the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade, Makoto Kato, Conductor.
The work received its premiere performance by the Nagoya Minami High School Green Band, Nagoya, Japan, Frank Duarte, conductor on January 2nd, 2014.
RECORDING
Nagoya Minami High School Green Band, Nagoya, Japan
PROGRAM NOTES
The Valiant Green Company is a march in the American military march style composed out of much inspiration, with the country of Ireland in mind.
In the “trio” section of this march, listeners will know that I incorporated an Air that is perhaps, the most popular air among the Irish diaspora and widely known throughout the world - “Londonderry Air.” This air, sometimes known for its setting as “Oh, Danny Boy,” originated from County Londonderry in Ireland (now Northern Ireland) and was collected by Jane Ross of Limavady. Although initially written to a tune other than “Londonderry Air,” the words to “Danny Boy” were penned by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in Bath, Somerset in 1910. As mentioned before, because of its strong affiliation with the Irish community, I felt most appropriate to incorporate this beautiful air to give this composition its last and final touch.
After composing this piece, I realized the following: Coincidently, the “Green” Band Association commissioned this composition, bringing a “valiant company” of musicians to perform at the Performing Arts Center at John F. Kennedy High School. The 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, was of Irish descent, and of course, the mascot of the school is the “Fighting Irish.” Whether it might be imagining leprechauns dancing jigs up and down or imagining an Irish parade, I believe this composition truly speaks “Ireland.”