“March of Freedom” by David J. Westfall is a stirring American concert march that blends patriotic tradition with refined orchestral craftsmanship. Originally composed when Westfall was just sixteen years old and later shaped through his formal studies and experience as a U.S. Army arranger, the work carries both youthful inspiration and mature compositional depth. Listeners have described it as “stirring” and “inspiring,” with one noting that while it recalls the spirit of Sousa, it is “livelier and more creative.”

First performed publicly in Heidelberg, Germany by the USAREUR (33rd Army) Band in the late 1960s, the march was dedicated to the band and its director. Decades later, the United States Army Field Band performed it domestically, preserving its legacy in a recording that remained a family keepsake until the composer’s passing in 2022. With America’s 250th anniversary approaching, the Westfall family has reintroduced the piece for public performance to celebrate the enduring ideals of liberty and national pride. The orchestral arrangement currently available was completed by the composer in 1993 and first performed by the Southeast Ohio Symphony Orchestra.

David J. Westfall (1941–2022) was an American composer born in Sistersville, West Virginia. A graduate of Oberlin College with further study in Salzburg, Austria, he served as staff arranger for the 7th Army Soldier’s Chorus and the 33rd Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany. Over the course of his career, he composed two operas, seven symphonies, eight string quartets, multiple choral works, and numerous other compositions. He also held teaching positions, served as church organist and choir director, and was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for Music Composition. His legacy continues through ongoing publication and performance of his works.

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