Review

John Philip Sousa
The Black Horse Troop:

Arranged by Philip Brink

3 tenor, one bass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

The Black Horse Troop is a march composed by John Philip Sousa at the request of an officer with Troop A of the Ohio National Guard. Troop A was a mounted cavalry unit that exclusively used black horses. The initial performance of the march occurred at a Sousa Band concert commemorating the forty-eighth anniversary of the unit in October 1925. This fantastic march employs a 6/8 meter suggesting the uneven, yet steady trot of horses.  “Former Sousa Band members expressed their fondness for this composition and commented on the descriptive character it assumed when performed by Sousa himself.” (Paul Bierley)

The pitch range for all parts are within a limited and practicable range. All parts are exclusively notated in bass clef and the score and parts are clear, clean, and easy to read. Though only a quartet, the character of the original is adequately matched by the arrangement. Embouchure endurance is essential for all performers as each of the four parts play in every measure; this is especially so for the first trombone part presenting the melodic content for the entire time. Alteration of ensemble roles, at some point, would be welcome and provide respite from melodic or harmonic responsibilities. Endurance demands are less taxing if parts are doubled, allowing for brief individual breaks and providing opportunity for dynamic contrasts between various sections of the march. Scarcity of dynamic shadings, ensemble accents, and articulation indications for stylistic integrity add to the limitations of the arrangement. Of course, desired indications may be added by performers familiar with march style, but aforementioned  performance indications should have been included. This publication provides the means to perform an enjoyable Sousa march, though further individual editing may be desired.