The Great Little Army

Monday, 06 January 2020

"The Great Little Army" was composed by Frederick Joseph Ricketts - aka - Kenneth Alford - in 1916. Commemorating British soldiers who fought in WW1 and bore the brunt of everything that was thrown at them - called by the enemy "The Contemptible Little Army"

Frederick Joseph Ricketts was an English composer of marches for military band. Under the pen name Kenneth J. Alford, he composed marches which are considered to be the greatest examples of the art. He was a Bandmaster in the British Army, and Royal Marines Director of Music. Conductor Sir Vivian Dunn called Ricketts "The British March King". Ricketts' frequent use of the saxophone contributed to its permanent inclusion in military bands.

Edited for Concert Band, on request, by Geoff Kingston, this all-time favourite stands the test of time

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