Concert band romp championing a pioneering 19th century policewoman
Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, bassoon, 3 B flat clarinets, B flat bass clarinet, E flat alto saxophone, B flat tenor saxophone, E flat baritone saxophone, 3 B flat trumpets, 4 French horns in F, 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, percussion (5 players if possible)
In 1994, when South Australia celebrated one hundred years of women achieving the right to vote, Becky was commissioned to write a piece of music for concert band about the first policewoman in South Australia: Kate Cocks.
In 1894, the job of the policewoman mostly involved ‘moral authority’, patrolling dance halls, beaches, wharves and railway stations, to prevent women and girls from going wrong, helping them in trouble and assisting them if they were running away in the days when there were no social services for women. Becky used this as a narrative to create a rousing concert band piece in honour of this strong woman pioneer from her state.
Written in 1994, Policewoman’s Polka is a 7-minute piece is of medium difficulty and suits community, school or college concert bands.
Listen to a sample of Policewoman’s Polka by the City of Brighton Concert Band
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Where to buy
You can purchase the Policewoman’s Polka concert band score and parts directly from Becky by emailing her: