March of the Ladybugs
Barry E. Kopetz
Ladybugs may be the cutest of all beetles to grace the windowsills and
back porches of America during the summertime. Observing them walk is always
a reminder to me of how cute they are, and this is the principal idea in
the March of the Ladybugs. It appears that when they are scurrying rapidly
across a surface that the pace of their step, as well as the direction
of their travel, is like a good march. The essence of these wonderfully
entertaining insects, with the occasional flapping of their wings as they
hurry along, is represented by the incessant major second.
The work is written in a modified march form to allow for the endurance
limitations of young bands. It contains an introduction, a first strain,
a trio, and a traditional dogfight – or bug fight. The only item
left out is the second strain. And just as ladybugs tend to stop and go,
so does the March of the Ladybugs!
The piece demands attention to all of the fundamental technical skills
normally associated with a quality march performance – observation
of characteristic tone quality, precision excellence, and development of
good internal pulse throughout the ensemble.
