The Mad Major March

Vintage March Series — 2 min. 40 sec.

Composed Kenneth J. Alford

Arranged by Quincy Hilliard

Frederick J. Ricketts (1881–1945), better known by his pen name Kenneth J. Alford, was one of those rare figures whose music has quietly endured long after his lifetime. Trained at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall, he built a distinguished career as a military bandmaster, eventually serving as Director of Music for the Royal Marines at Plymouth. Along the way, he composed dozens of marches that found a permanent home in the military band repertoire. Because British military regulations discouraged officers from pursuing outside professional work, many of these pieces were published under his now-famous pseudonym.

One of those marches, The Mad Major, was written in 1921 during his time with the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The title is a tribute to Major Graham Seton-Hutchinson, a bold and highly decorated officer of the Machine Gun Corps in World War I. His fearless conduct earned him both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross—as well as the memorable nickname “The Mad Major.”

At first listen, the march’s opening—especially its descending chromatic lines—might bring to mind the flair of an American circus march, not unlike the style of Karl King and others. But that impression quickly gives way to something more grounded. The piece ultimately reflects the poise and structure of the British military march tradition. It works best when performed with a sense of restraint and dignity, at a steady tempo of around 112 beats per minute.

Printed Complete Score and Parts (B26009)       $85.00
Printed Large Full Score (B26009LGPFS)          $28.00
Printed Letter Size Full Score (B26009PFS)      $24.00
Complete Score and Parts Download (B26009DL)    $68.00
Large Full Score Download (B26009LGFS)          $22.00
Letter Size Full Score Download (B26009FS)      $18.00