Three new arrangements by Colonel John R. Bourgeois, a giant in the wind band genre, are released by Wingert-Jones Publications, just ahead of The Midwest Clinic. The three new well-known pieces, arranged by Col. Bourgeois, are Polonaise by Antonin Dvořák, A Real Slow Drag from Treemonisha by Scott Joplin, and Our Heroes (Unsere Helden) by Julius Fučík.
The distinguished career of Col. Bourgeois, the 25th director of the United States Marine Band, spanned nine presidential administrations, from Eisenhower to Clinton. He retired from the Marine Corps after serving as the band’s director and music advisor to the White House for 17 years. Bourgeois has served as president of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, president of the National Band Association, and president and later chairman of the board of directors of the American Bandmasters Association. Since his retirement, he has continued to be extremely active as a guest conductor and clinician, artist in residence, and adjudicator for bands all over the world.
The Bourgeois Editions published by Wingert-Jones Publications, house a collection of edited masterworks, transcriptions and arrangements of well-known musical works. Each work, beautifully engraved, has been carefully selected by Col. Bourgeois. Using his experience as a conductor, John brings to each score a wealth of knowledge, invaluable to the wind band conductor.
Full sets of the new arrangements are available from music retailers and from Wingert-Jones Publications, Polonaise is $90, A Real Slow Drag is $75, and Our Heroes is $95.
There will be a meet-and-greet to celebrate the new releases with the author at The Midwest Clinic on Friday, December 21, at 11am, at the Wingert-Jones Publications booth (#1825).
