This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son, Benny, playing'soldiers with his collection of teddy bears how appropriate! But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a toy march, the most notable examples being by Haydn, Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel. Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of apatrol (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact, where the hall layout permits it, it could be possible toadd a little choreography to the piece, starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.