Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary)

J. Clarke

Key

D

Time

C

Tempo

♩=96

AO focus

AO1

Form

Trumpet Voluntary — short ceremonial piece, originally for harpsichord. The most-played wedding processional in the English-speaking world. Rondo-like ABACA structure.

Teaching points

• Triadic D-major opening — the trumpet outlines the tonic chord then steps up to the dominant
• Ceremonial tempo — steady half-note pulse for processions; don't rush
• AO1: gateway trumpet repertoire — playable at Grade 4, sounds like Grade 8
• Historical: long misattributed to Henry Purcell ('Trumpet Voluntary' on Purcell's catalogue) until 1953 musicology resolved the authorship to Clarke