Molly Pitcher

Description

Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trumpet in Bb 3, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, String Bass, Mallets 1, Chime, Bells, Mallets 2, Marimba, Bells, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Mark Tree, Tom-tom, Gong — Molly Pitcher was composed in 2019 as part of my annual commitment to create a piece to be premiered by our University of Mobile High School Honor Band. This piece is the fourth installment in a multi-work series for wind band called The American Legends and is based on what appear to be at least probable, real events.During the American Revolution, cannon crews for the Continental Army often had family members, including wives, that traveled with them. As the stories go, it was common for these wives to have the critical job of carrying water for the crews and other troops, often earning the nickname of “Molly Pitcher.” There are many stories of occurrences where the husband in the cannon crew was injured or killed during the fighting and the wife stepped in to help with firing the cannon to the end of the battle. (The best known women connected to these stories are probably Mary Hays at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778 and Margaret Corbin at the defense of Fort Washington in 1776.)The beginning of the piece sets the tone for battle, including muted or off-stage trumpets representing the British with snippets of Rule Brittania, horns quoting Yankee Doodle for the Continental Army, and winds playing a lovely original theme for Molly. The battle begins and a crash signifies the fall of her husband. She mourns briefly and then steps in to man the cannon as the piece moves to a huge ending.Performance suggestionsDynamics, especially the long crescendos/diminuendos in the first portion of the work, are a huge part of the effectiveness of the piece. Feel free to “overdo” those dynamics. If it is possible, using a more traditional field drum for the snare parts rather than a modern concert snare drum will add to the authenticity of the time period and musical experience. If you have or can create sound effects to represent the crashing of cannons in battle, here’s your chance to use them! This piece is part of The American Legends series and tells the story of Molly Pitcher, a woman who took over her husband's cannon crew duties during the American Revolution after he was injured in battle. The music includes themes representing both the British and Continental forces, with a dramatic shift as Molly steps in to continue the fight, culminating in a powerful conclusion. Performance suggestions include using traditional snare drums and cannon sound effects.

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