Boys Band on the March / Guttene Kommer William Farre / Arr. Jan Eriksen

Serie / Series: Marching Band

Boys Band on the March by Norwegian composer William Farre is the first march in Norway (and perhaps even the world) written for a typical school band (which at the time consisted of boys). It was composed in 1901 for William Farre's own band, Møllergata Skoles Musikkorps in Oslo.
The march was meant to be a very easy march, playable for young and less experienced musicians.
It is one of the most famous Norwegian marches from the early age of the country's band movement. Boys Band on the March was first published by the composer's own publishing company as Farre Carton no. 1. This new publication is edited by Jan Eriksen.
The modern edition has kept the original melody and harmony, but is now scored for modern instrumentation.

[NO]Guttene Kommer (Gutterne kommer)
Guttene kommer av William Farre er Norges om ikke verdens første skole/guttekorpsmarsj. Den ble til i 1901 der komponisten sier følgende:

La mig nævne at da jeg en søndag formiddag rablet ned denne, tenkte jeg mindst av alt at den skulde bli benyttet. Jeg skrev den ned fordi guttene i det første prøvekorps (Møllergaten skole) snarest skulde kunne begynne på noget som klang sammen og derved bibringes forstaaelsen av at et resultat kunde naaes. Melodien, som for øvrig ikke kan frakjendes originalitet, er den enklest mulige med skalamæssige bevegelser. Understemmene de lettest tænkelige.

Alle i Norge som har spilt i korps har vel spilt denne marsjen som ble utgitt som nr.1 på Farre-karton 1. Den har oppnådd en kultstatus i sin enkle originalversjon. Jeg har satt den inn i en mer etablert marsj-form med den samme melodi- og harmonier med litt ekstra utfylling her og der.

(Tekst: Jan Eriksen)

Aufnahme / Recording:GREEN HORNET - NEW MUSIC FOR CONCERT BAND 2011-2012
Marching Band


Boys Band on the March by Norwegian composer William Farre is the first march in Norway (and perhaps even the world) written for a typical school band (which at the time consisted of boys). It was composed in 1901 for William Farre's own band, Møllergata Skoles Musikkorps in Oslo.
The march was meant to be a very easy march, playable for young and less experienced musicians.
It is one of the most famous Norwegian marches from the early age of the country's band movement. Boys Band on the March was first published by the composer's own publishing company as Farre Carton no. 1. This new publication is edited by Jan Eriksen.
The modern edition has kept the original melody and harmony, but is now scored for modern instrumentation.