The Falcon in the Snow for Brass Band Study Score
The Falcon in the Snow is a musical depiction of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to reach the South Pole, the work is divided into five sections, using quotes from Falcon Scott’s own journal:
Saturday November 26, 1910 - “We advertised our start at 3.P.M., and at three minutes to that hour the Terra Nova pushed off from the jetty”.
Robert Falcon Scott led the British Antarctic Expedition from 1910 to 1913, aiming to be the first to reach the South Pole. Leaving from Cardiff, Wales, in June 1910, the expedition arrived at the Ross Ice Shelf in January 1911. Scott's team established base camp at Cape Evans on Ross Island and began preparations for the push to the Pole.
Thursday February 2, 1911 - “The Blizzard, Nature’s protest-the crevasse, Nature’s pitfall”.
The expedition faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather, difficult terrain, and the logistics of transporting supplies and equipment over long distances. Scott divided his men into different teams for the Pole attempt, with one led by himself and the other by Ernest Shackleton, who was eventually sent home due to illness.
Tuesday January 16, 1912 - “The Norwegians have forestalled us and are first at the pole. It is a terrible disappointment, and I am very sorry for my loyal companions”.
Scott's team set out for the South Pole, enduring extreme conditions and struggling with low food supplies. They reached the Pole on January 17, 1912, only to discover that the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had beaten them to it by 34 days.
Thursday January 18, 1912 – “We have turned our back now on the goal of our ambition and must face our 800 miles of solid dragging”.
Disheartened, the team began the long and arduous journey back to base camp. Tragically, Scott and his companions—Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers, Lawrence Oates, and Edgar Evans—perished during their return journey. They were slowed by extreme weather and suffering from exhaustion and malnutrition.
Thursday March 29, 1912 – “For God’s sake look after our people”.
Their final camp, found in November 1912, became their tomb. Scott’s journal, recovered with his body, provides a poignant record of their struggles.
Despite the tragic outcome, Scott's expedition contributed significantly to the understanding of the Antarctic region. The scientific research and specimens collected during the journey provided valuable insights into the continent's natural history and biology. Additionally, the expedition stimulated public interest in polar exploration and science, leaving a legacy in the chronicles of exploration.