Now is the Day
by Bruce Fraser
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert band (1st Flute, 2nd Flute/Oboe*, 1st Bb Clarinet, 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3rd Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet*, Eb Alto Saxophone*, Bb Tenor Saxophone*, 1st Bb Trumpet, 2nd Bb Trumpet, 1st F Horn, 2nd F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, (TC Baritone), Tuba, Timpani (2), Percu) - grade 2

SKU: CN.R10202

Composed by Bruce Fraser. Arranged by Percy Aldridge Grainger. Band Music. Score and parts. Duration 3:40. Published by G & M Brand Music Publishers (CN.R10202).

Warlike, then noble, Now is the Day is based on the great figure in Scottish history - William Wallace, often called Braveheart. Opening with the woodwinds playing drums along with the percussion section against brass fanfares, this piece will create an air of excitement. An alto saxophone solo provides a brief moment of solace between the battle scenes.

This work is based on a great figure in Scottish history - William Wallace, often called Braveheart. The song "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled," which is Scotland's unofficial national anthem contains the line "Now is the day and how is the hour," and this is the source of the title. The opening section is warlike in sound with woodwinds playing tambours of some sort - tom-toms, tambours, even old drum skins will make the kind of noise required to simulate a battle. Noisy brass fanfares are melodic fragments of "Scots wha hae" melody. Eventually, woodwinds join in and the music slows down to an alto saxophone solo, again based on fragments of "Scots wha hae." The battle tempo resumes and percussion then lead the band noisily into an eventual full statement of the theme creating a noble sound against the continuing drum patterns, leading to a triumphant ending.