"Little Swiss Piece" - The Band of H.M. Royal Marines

"Little Swiss Piece" was composed by myself and Reg Chamberlain 25 years ago and, soon afterwards, was taken on and recorded by The Band of H.M. Royal Marines (Royal Marines School of Music) which, for two aspiring songwriter / composers, was absolutely fantastic. It was included on their new recording OLD COMRADES / NEW COMRADES (Side 2, Track 4) and here is the description from the original L.P. sleeve:

"Little Swiss Piece is a delightful composition with a light-hearted Tyrolean flavour. A very clever arrangement by Phil Hughes gives the impression of a marching band in the distance, approaching the listener and once more fading into the distance".

I do not think that Little Swiss Piece has ever received the full acclaim it truly deserves and, like other compositions of mine such as "Return To Glen Brae", could some day become a 'household melody'. I don't think that, by any stretch of the imagination, 'Little Swiss Piece' falls into the POP MUSIC genre, but I do feel that it is an incredibly catchy tune and has all the qualities to become immensely popular, a 'standard' in fact.

Sadly, some of those involved in this production have since passed away - including my dear friend and co-writer Reg Chamberlain and also the album producer, Bob Barratt, an immensely popular man in the recording world.

So, 25 years on, as a tribute to this wonderful band and to old comrades (dearly missed but never forgotten), I present here on YOUTUBE The Band of H.M. Royal Marines playing "Little Swiss Piece", along with what I hope is a suitable selection of images and photographs.

The recording OLD COMRADES / NEW COMRADES (pictured early on in this video slide show) is still available (on C.D.) from Cinque Port Music (cinqueportmusic.com). So, please order a copy now (!) and spread the word about "Little Swiss Piece" !!

Thank you for listening -- JOHN WALKER

I hereby confirm that I, John Walker, am the copyright owner of the composition "Little Swiss Piece".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• H.M._Royal_Marines
• Royal_Marines_Band
• Band
• Military_Band
• Military_Music
• John_Walker
• Digital_Orchestra

[youngoffender589]

Love it, very catchy piece of music. Would appreciate music for this? Would that be possible? If not, no problem! Good job anyway!

[johnaw1]

@youngoffender589

The Sheet Music for Little Swiss Piece is available in my Music Book (24 John Walker Original Compositions). Please see my Website.

[Gotthard68]

why did you call it "little swiss piece"?

[johnaw1]

Good question. I can't remember. The co-writer Reg Chamberlain named it actually.

[Hauptmann109]

Very nice do you know the name of this march? Or is it actually Little Swiss Piece?

[johnaw1]

It is called "Little Swiss Piece". See 'more info.' above, top right. Thanks - JOHN

[LaMandolinata]

John,

When Steve Misson And Phil Hughes had Cinque Port Music in Deal I arranged "A Little Swiss Piece" for Brass Band way back in 1985.

Keith Stanley James Lever.

[clippedlad]

FANTASTIC!!! MY KIND OF MUSIC.

[mrpivoman]

Excellent this only further confirms there is only one military band in the world !!

[danielwills93]

how did you go about getting this performed by the marines? did you contact them? etc.. thanks. great march, very nice indeed

[vivphil]

Very nice congratulations !!