Marche Militaire

Harry Rowe Shelley (June 8, 1858 – September 12, 1947) was an American composer, organist (church and concert), and professor of music. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Shelley studied at Yale College, and with Dudley Buck and Antonín Dvořák in New York, and completed his musical education in London and Paris. According to his New York Times obituary, Shelley "penned church music that won him wide popularity. For sixty years a host of English-speaking peoples throughout the world sang his hymns."

While still a boy, Shelley played the organ at Center Church on the Green in New Haven. Although he entered Yale, he did not complete his freshman year. He was organist at the Church of the Pilgrims during the ministry of Henry Ward Beecher. He died at age 89 in Short Beach, Connecticut.

In his day, Shelley was as major figure in the American organ world. His music is very much "of his time," and well some of his works are overly sentimental, there are some solid and even brilliant works, particularly the "Fanfare" and the "Marche Militaire", both of which were published by G. Schirmer in 1905. These works were composed while Shelley was organist of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in New York City.

"March Militaire" is exactly what the title implies. It is a brilliant march, "military" in style, combining elements of a French Grand Choeur, and the marches of American "March King," John Philip Sousa.

The first section gets the listeners full attention, while the middle "Trio" is effective and cleverly written. The opening material returns in a shortened form, before an exciting flourish brings us to a grandiose "chorale-like" setting of the tune, with a rolling pedal part underneath. The closing bars feature dramatic chordal passages, and the final triumphant rush to the thunderous final unison.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Harry Rowe Shelley, his signature, and of the Church of the Pilgrims, and of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.