Some time ago, I found the sheet music for “Carlisle Indian School March” at the Library of Congress and ordered a copy. What arrived was a piano score with no arrangement for band instruments. Not being able to play the piano or find someone willing to take the time to learn the tune, I was out of luck. I feared that I would never hear it played. But last week I discovered something that could make it possible to hear it. MuseScore is free software that allows you to key in music scores, print sheet music for them and, most important to me, play it back.
The software downloaded easily onto my computer, but not after having a scare. Because my machine was running short of disk space, I attempted to download it onto my wife’s laptop which has ample space available. Very early into the process, her computer uttered a brief whimper and emitted some smoke. That was followed by the all-too-familiar smell of burnt electronics. People on the MuseScore support forum assured me that it was a coincidence. Logically, I knew that but my wife’s computer had just died while I was using it. So, I intrepidly ventured forward and installed the software from www.MuseScore.org without a hitch.
Entering all the notes, etc. wasn’t easy, especially given that I don’t play the piano and my music education ended with playing the bass clarinet in the jr. high band very early in the Kennedy administration. But it was completed over the weekend. It can be heard at Carlisle Indian School March.
Now, the challenge is to get it arranged for the various instruments in a marching band. Since I know nothing about arranging music, I must rely on the kindness of others. A Dickinson College professor has expressed interest in the project. It would be great to hear this historic music played by a real band.
Tags: Carlisle Indian School Band, Dennison Wheelock, MuseScore
Tom Benjey's Weblog 
January 1, 2015 at 1:01 pm |
I am a member of the greater harrisburg concert band. One of our members, Mike Harcrow, a prof at Messiah College is often interested in projects as you mentioned. I live a block from the Indian School and would love to hear this March produced. Let me know. Sue.
February 26, 2019 at 1:00 am |
Hello , thank you for your research! I have been trying to find this march and cannot seem to find it on the Library of Congress website. Would you be able to provide a copy? The piano score would be perfect, we are part of a chamber music ensemble that would be touring North Dakota and wants to include historical music with Native American history
March 2, 2019 at 2:26 pm |
I just got back from Florida and will look through my files to see what I have.
March 2, 2019 at 7:02 pm
I just found it. Send me your email address so I can send the PDF to you. I’d like to write a bog post about your tour if you don’t mind. I can also send you a recording of the Carlisle School Song that was written by Pop Warner to a familiar tune. The students sang this song after about 1907.
March 7, 2019 at 7:47 am
I sent the march to you over the weekend. Did you receive it?