Buffalo Soldiers

17 minutes Wind Ensemble Full Orchestra

Buffalo Soldiers was commissioned by The West Point Academy for their 2002 Bicentennial celebration. Originally written for Symphonic Wind Ensemble, it was scored for full orchestra in 2010.

The score includes two optional narrations — one delivered by Abraham Lincoln and the other from a speech delivered by General Colin Powell to celebrate the unveiling of the Buffalo Soldier statue at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in 1992. Of note, General Powell gave his personal endorsement to use his words.

About This Work

Buffalo Soldiers traces the journey of a 9th and 10th Cavalry recruit — from the emotional farewell with family, through the daily rhythms of garrison life marked by historic bugle calls, to the closing Retreat as the flag is lowered at day's end.

The work opens with an excerpt of a speech given by Abraham Lincoln three years before the start of the Civil War, and closes with words spoken by General Colin Powell at the dedication of the Buffalo Soldiers memorial at Fort Leavenworth in 1992 — bridging over a century of history in a single composition.

Score Access & Performance License Policy

Works by J. Kimo Williams

As a composer, I believe music is not merely a transactional commodity, but a cultural and human exchange shaped by lived experience, history, memory, and community engagement.

In that spirit, my scores are made freely available for download for study, rehearsal, and live performance.

Free Use Permitted

You may download and use these scores and parts for:

Personal study
Classroom or educational use
Rehearsal
Live concert performance

There is no rental fee required for live performance. I only ask that you let me know of any performances scheduled and provide a program relating to any completed performance.

License Required

Prior written permission is required for:

Audio recording
Video recording
Livestreaming
Broadcast
YouTube or social media posting
Commercial release
Digital distribution
Film, television, podcast, or media synchronization
Any use involving reproduction of the music beyond live performance

Performance Attribution

Programs and publicity should credit the work as follows:
Composed by J. Kimo Williams — Captain, U.S. Army (Retired)
Published by One Omik Music (BMI)

Recording & Media Licensing

To request permission for audio, video, broadcast, livestream, or media use, contact:
J. Kimo Williams — kimo@omik.com

Please include: name of organization, work title, performance date, venue, intended recording or media use, and whether the recording will be private, archival, educational, promotional, streamed, or commercially released.

Statement of Intent

These scores are offered freely so that the music may live through performance, education, and cultural engagement. Music is ultimately sustained not by ownership alone, but by participation, performance, and cultural memory.

Click here for the full License Policy | License Types & Examples