We played this in my HS band in 2008. I didn’t appreciate it until I listened to the recording of our performance. It really is a masterful portrait in oil, there is no other way to put it.
This arrangement for band was written by Lieutenant Maurice Ford, US Navy, in 1958. LT Ford was formerly a member of the US Navy Band. The original orchestral work was composed by Don Gillis, in 1950.
thnx for posting. 25 posts in seven years. probably due to this piece being not very well known, and should be. played it once in high school and twice in college. been playing in bands over forty years and most I know have never heard of this song. And it's still in print!
Our high school band, Marion High School, Marion NC in 1964 performed Tulsa under the direction of the late Lou Bean and assistant Capt. Ralph K Ostrum at Lenoir Rhine College Band contest. We came away with a 'Superior' rating and a standing ovation! What a thrill it was to perform Don Gillis's arrangement.
Man, I have played this and heard it played, but dog my cats, if this isn't the cat's meow. Ramped up speed, crisp, very fresh. Incredible US Navy Band.
I played this at Irondale HS in New Brighton MN in 1982. It is a wonderful piece; and a great learning tool for students. This performance is of course very well done. Thank you for posting.
Enjoyed playing this many years ago. That middle section with the percussion and angry sounding low brass unison and near unison parts (if you've played it, you know where I mean) always had me half expecting a gusher to erupt through the middle of the stage. Great work Navy Band! (and Don Gillis of course)
Check out our newest CZcams video from the Concert Band! American composer Don Gillis, wrote "Tulsa, a Symphonic Portrait in Oil" in 1950 as a simultaneously serious and humorous piece depicting Tulsa's growth from wilderness to modern city.
Played it while a member of the Air Force Academy Band. We used an actual Anvil which depicted the banging of the oil rig in our presentation. Something else may have taken the place of the anvil in this presentation starting at 5:34. In the end, I noticed the chimes replacing the anvil (I think). Our loading crew had a tough time carrying that anvil around.
Played this in HS in the mid 70’s. Our band director gave the percussion section the task of finding a suitable “iron plate”. They found several at the local auto wrecking yard and city dump. Our band director picked the one that sounded best to him. It had a fine “clang” to it. I wonder if that iron plate is still in the percussion closet at the school or whether it got tossed as scrap. Anyway, listening to this fine band perform the piece so beautifully brought back nice memories as did your memory about the anvil.
The USN band here appears to be using a metal plate hanging from a stand (gong-like) at 5:34. The center percussionist is playing it to his right, the black square right behind the trombone player's head. While we (community symphonic band) have a section of railroad rail to use as an anvil, we are using a railroad tie plate, the 10"x12" steel plate that goes between the rails and the crossties, for this piece. Go Falcons! My brother was a Pink Panther, '84
Great playing of course but some parts were rushed a bit I thought. Could have been slowed at times in transitions. A few transitions were too rushed. Why the pause and then the announcement of a parade?? Fantastic musicians of course but could hav e been more pastoral at times!
We played this in my HS band in 2008. I didn’t appreciate it until I listened to the recording of our performance. It really is a masterful portrait in oil, there is no other way to put it.
Tuning, Balance, blend, sound, colours, nuance,style ,musicality...juste perfect!Pure Masterclass
This is very disappointing and the Navy Band? High schools routinely do this a lot. Much better.
If there was a grade 7 classification this would be it. Loved the challenge playing it. It was kind of a flex
This arrangement for band was written by Lieutenant Maurice Ford, US Navy, in 1958. LT Ford was formerly a member of the US Navy Band. The original orchestral work was composed by Don Gillis, in 1950.
Dang! Played this in HS in early '70s. RIP our director. DEAN IMMEL!!
thnx for posting. 25 posts in seven years. probably due to this piece being not very well known, and should be. played it once in high school and twice in college. been playing in bands over forty years and most I know have never heard of this song. And it's still in print!
❤
Our high school band, Marion High School, Marion NC in 1964 performed Tulsa under the direction of the late Lou Bean and assistant Capt. Ralph K Ostrum at Lenoir Rhine College Band contest. We came away with a 'Superior' rating and a standing ovation! What a thrill it was to perform Don Gillis's arrangement.
The arrangement is not by Don Gillis. The band version is by Maurice Ford, a navy bandmaster back in the late 50's and early 60's.
Superior. Fantastic.
Man, I have played this and heard it played, but dog my cats, if this isn't the cat's meow. Ramped up speed, crisp, very fresh. Incredible US Navy Band.
Fantastic playing....so tight, clean, the colors are just great, the blend...just everything!
I played this at Irondale HS in New Brighton MN in 1982. It is a wonderful piece; and a great learning tool for students. This performance is of course very well done. Thank you for posting.
Enjoyed playing this many years ago. That middle section with the percussion and angry sounding low brass unison and near unison parts (if you've played it, you know where I mean) always had me half expecting a gusher to erupt through the middle of the stage. Great work Navy Band! (and Don Gillis of course)
The entire ensemble blows my mind! It's beautiful!
This is very disappointing and the Navy Band? High schools routinely do this a lot. Much better.
@@DennisTedder-wj5ln😂
Proudly played it on high school. Seriously one of the best symphonic pieces we were assigned to.❤
I played this in high school (2nd trumpet) that double tonguing part at 8:30 was a mother.
Check out our newest CZcams video from the Concert Band! American composer Don Gillis, wrote "Tulsa, a Symphonic Portrait in Oil" in 1950 as a simultaneously serious and humorous piece depicting Tulsa's growth from wilderness to modern city.
T-Town!!! I had no idea we had an orchestral piece about us! This also makes me wish I HAD taken up the Army band on the offer to audition!
Played it while a member of the Air Force Academy Band. We used an actual Anvil which depicted the banging of the oil rig in our presentation. Something else may have taken the place of the anvil in this presentation starting at 5:34. In the end, I noticed the chimes replacing the anvil (I think). Our loading crew had a tough time carrying that anvil around.
Played this in HS in the mid 70’s. Our band director gave the percussion section the task of finding a suitable “iron plate”. They found several at the local auto wrecking yard and city dump. Our band director picked the one that sounded best to him. It had a fine “clang” to it. I wonder if that iron plate is still in the percussion closet at the school or whether it got tossed as scrap. Anyway, listening to this fine band perform the piece so beautifully brought back nice memories as did your memory about the anvil.
The USN band here appears to be using a metal plate hanging from a stand (gong-like) at 5:34. The center percussionist is playing it to his right, the black square right behind the trombone player's head. While we (community symphonic band) have a section of railroad rail to use as an anvil, we are using a railroad tie plate, the 10"x12" steel plate that goes between the rails and the crossties, for this piece.
Go Falcons! My brother was a Pink Panther, '84
@@gwiyomikim5988Also played this in HS. Drums. Mid '70s Mt Miguel HS
1st 3rd clarinet for me. Great depth in tone
About to preform this in our spring concert tonight. The first horn part is an absolute snack.
how well did you do compared to this?
Same! Back in 1999.
That 1st clarinet is awesome
The whole work is fantastic, but the 6/8 march section is beyond compare.
currently getting ready to play this at regionals :3
❤
Nicely performed! Brought back nice memories from high school and university band groups (Horn 1)
Awesome!!!
Great playing of course but some parts were rushed a bit I thought. Could have been slowed at times in transitions. A few transitions were too rushed. Why the pause and then the announcement of a parade?? Fantastic musicians of course but could hav e been more pastoral at times!
I played that back in the 60s @Maxwell AFB. It was a bitch to play well.
Needs more cowbell
This is very disappointing and the Navy Band? High schools routinely do this a lot. Much better.
Going to preform this later in the year with my OCHS High School symphonic band I. It’s really good up until that weird trombone part lmao