The Prince of Denmark’s March is better known nowadays as the Trumpet Voluntary and is often used in wedding ceremonies. It was in fact written for organ, with the melody played on the“trumpet stop”. Written around 1700, for many years this piece was mistakenly attributed to Henry Purcell. Only recently has it been established that the composer was Jeremiah Clarke, organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. It is somewhat ironic that this composer of a wedding mainstay was himself a victim of unrequited love. He consequently shot himself in the cathedral graveyard.

This full version is arranged as a Solo for Oboe and Piano; the performance time is around two and a half minutes. Of course, performers, especially at weddings, may wish to abridge and shorten the arrangement. This is easily done as the different sections are self-contained and the repeat may be ignored.

The single pdf file contains both the score and the solo instrumental part. Musicians at an intermediate level and above will find this ideal for formal and informal performances, with both the solo and accompaniment enjoying melodic interest.

Teachers will enjoy using this arrangement as a fun way to help with strict time, full tone and dynamics.