The Circus Bee – Saxophone Choir

The Circus Bee, 1908

Henry Fillmore (1881 – 1956)

Saxophone Choir (Sn 4S 4A 4T 2Bar Bas)

The Circus Bee by Henry Fillmore is one of the best known circus marches or screamers. It’s fast, flashy, exciting, and this arrangement is a challenge to your saxophone section. This arrangement for 16 part saxophone choir but is easily played by a smaller number of players by omitting the optional parts. Parts included:

Full Saxophone Choir Score
Sopranino Sax, optional
Soprano Sax, alternate for sopranino, optional
Soprano Sax 1-3 (3rd part optional)
Alto Sax 1-4 (3rd & 4th parts optional)
Tenor Sax 1-4 (3rd & 4th parts optional)
Baritone Sax 1-2 (2nd parts optional)
Bass Sax, optional

It may be played by as few as seven players by using soprano 1-2, alto 1-2, tenor 1-2, and baritone 1. Add the optional parts if players are available. This arrangement is based on the 1908 Fillmore Music House edition. It is in the original keys of A flat modulating to D flat at the trio. The Circus Bee goes at a lightning-quick pace. This saxophone choir arrangement is for moderately advanced to advanced players.

• The range for each saxophone part is shown below.
• Audio and score excerpts are available above.