Sousa, JP :: The Stars and Stripes Forever

Musicians Publications presents John Phillip Sousa's 'The Stars & Stripes Forever arranged for woodwind quartet by Bill Holcombe. Scored for flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, this arrangement also includes an optional bass clarinet part to replace the bassoon when necessary. This quartet is advanced in difficulty and 3:35 in duration.

John Philip Sousa actively composed over a span of nearly sixty years but it was during his time as leader of the Marine Band followed by the early years of his leadership of his civilian band that Sousa wrote some of his most famous marches, those that earned him the title The March King. His most famous composition was written during this time, conceived while he was abroad and the product of homesickness caused by his nearly constant travel.

Since its premiere in Philadelphia on May 14, 1897, 'The Stars and Stripes Forever has secured its place as the most popular and widely recognized march of all time. It has captured the spirit of American patriotism perhaps better than any other composition for more than a century. Former Sousa Band members testified that, during the popularity of the Sousa Band, The Stars and Stripes Forever was performed on every concert. Audiences expected, and sometimes even demanded to hear the march and eventually began to stand upon recognizing its opening bars as if it were the national anthem. It didn t succeed in becoming the national anthem but, in 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed an act of Congress designating The Stars and Stripes Forever the national march of the United States.

- The President's Own United States Marine Band, 2014