Taps

From Wind Repertory Project

Arranged by Daniel Butterfield and James Stephenson

James Stephenson


General Info

Year: 2021
Duration: c. 3:05
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Trombone choir
Publisher: Stephenson Music, through Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00; (digital) - $65.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Chimes
  • Glockenspiel
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Several years prior, I was originally commissioned to do a new setting of Taps in memory of Bill Zehfuss, who was a longtime faculty member at the Brevard Music Center, and a good friend. That version for solo trombone and trombone ensemble has been performed numerous times, and was recently featured on a PBS NewsHour tribute on Memorial Day of 2021. The performers were the members of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, with a voice-over by PBS anchor, Judy Woodruff.

This new version for concert band is dedicated to Colonel Jason K. Fettig, and to all of my friends and colleagues at the Marine Band, and other military bands, and is written in a way such that it might be available to players at all levels in bands around the country.

- Program Note by composer


Taps is a bugle call played at 2100 hrs [9 p.m.] during flag ceremonies and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces. The official military version is played by a single bugle or trumpet, although other versions of the tune may be played in other contexts (e.g., the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial Music site has recordings of two bugle and one band version). It is also performed often at Girl Guide, Girl Scout, and Boy Scout meetings and camps. The tune is also sometimes known as Butterfield's Lullaby, or by the first line of the lyric, Day Is Done. The duration may vary to some extent.

The tune is a variation of an earlier bugle call known as the Scott Tattoo (the word "taps" is derived from the same source as the word "tattoo") which was used in the U.S. from 1835 until 1860, and was arranged in its present form by the Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general and Medal of Honor recipient.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • United States Fleet Marine Composite Band Ryan Nowlin, conductor) - 23 March 2025 (Strathmore, Md.)
  • Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond) Wind Symphony (Robert Schwartz, conductor) - 15 November 2022


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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