Announcing the world premiere of the Rhode Island Independence March

This post will be updated as more information becomes available

Did you know that the State of Rhode Island declared independence from Great Britain on May 4th, 1776, jumping the gun by exactly two months? Well, partly in celebration of that event, but also in celebration of Rhode Island's historical reputation as a haven for freethinkers, heretics, misfits, and scoundrels, I have composed a "Rhode Island Independence March" - which is about to be performed by two different bands!

The world premiere will be given by the Wakefield Concert Band, conducted by Steve Toro, on Monday, April 29th at 7pm at South Kingstown High School in Wakefield, RI as part of their regular spring concert. Tickets are $10.

If South Kingstown is too far away for some of you (by Rhode Island standards!), the Moses Brown Wind Ensemble - also conducted by Steve Toro - will be performing it as part of their end-of-semester concert on Tuesday, May 14th at Moses Brown School in Providence. I will update this post as more information becomes available about that concert.

UPDATE: The Moses Brown Upper School wind/percussion concert is at 7 pm on Tuesday May 14th at their main performance space, the Woodman Center. The concert is listed on the Moses Brown calendar, but there aren't many details given there. However, I have it on good authority that (1) my Rhode Island Independence March is on the program and (2) admission is free.

If you can't make either of these performances, the Wakefield Concert Band is planning to play it again at some point during their summer outdoor concert series - check their Facebook page for updates!

---

Posted April 23 2024 by Benjamin Nacar