Growing Ranks is a short march written in response to a call for “adaptable” music for early band. Using only the first five notes of the Bb Major Scale and simple rhythms no more complicated than doubled eighth notes in the winds, it gives beginning musicians a chance to learn about the traditional Sousa March form. A simple strain with the familiar Oom-Pah in the lower voices is contrasted with a legato, chorale-like Trio section with the Alto and Tenor voices taking the melody. After a small interjection that repeats the opening phrase, the first strain comes back in full force to round out the piece. Growing Ranks was completed in October, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina.