This counter - melody is the most famous piccolo solo in all of music. The Stars and Stripes Forever Song - Lyrics written by John Philip Sousa. * As you are listening to this march, pay attention to how many melodies Mr. Sousa has written and being played at the same time. None have the worldwide appeal and popularity as The Stars & Stripes Forever. Performed by Sousa’s Band, Berliner Gramophone, 1898, MIDI, YouTube video and additional info can be found on the. With crashing cymbals, bombastic brass and chirping piccolos, “The Stars and Stripes Forever!” gets millions of people on their feet, clapping and cheering every year. Proclaimed as they marched to the fray It is amazing that as time marches on, we become less interested or informed of important historical figures. Marching Along: Recollections of Men, Women and Music, Baseball Commissioner Requests Sousa march. I guess we were a good 85 piece symphonic Band because we played it very well and to this day, High School Cadets remains as one of my favorite marches. The conductor was relentless and wanted to get this piece just right. "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Hurrah for the flag of the free. He was the third of ten children, four of them died very early in life. Phenomenal. They live at the bottom of the swamp, In late 1896, Sousa and his wife took a much-deserved vacation to Europe. The third primary melody in a march is called the trio. Well, you may think that this is the end. The gem of the land and the sea, The Stars and Stripes Forever, march by American composer John Philip Sousa that premiered in 1897. For the next 12 years he built upon what was at the time a mediocre ensemble into the finest band anywhere. And cheer them with fervid elation Listen to the as you read about how the march was composed. John Philip Sousa was a figure in history responsible for creating “The Stars and Stripes Forever” - The National March of the United States. When a town knew that the Sousa Band was to appear, they would close the town down so that everybody could witness the phenomenon known as the Sousa Band. Its folds protect no tyrant crew; Betsy Schwarm is a music historian based in Colorado. The grandiose adds yet another counter-melody giving our ears three melodies to listen to at once. They live all alone in the swamp, It is arguably the most famous march in the world and it’s certainly one of the best! You may think that this is the end. The piece stands as the quintessential example of the composer’s music . That by their might and by their right The first thing we hear is what is called the introduction (fanfare). amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; The banner of the right. While there, Sousa received word that the manager of the Sousa Band, David Blakely, had died suddenly. Throughout the whole tense voyage, that imaginary band continued to unfold the same themes, echoing and re-echoing the most distinct melody. [First Strain]Let martial note in triumph floatAnd liberty extend its mighty handA flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,The banner of the Western land.The emblem of the brave and trueIts folds protect no tyrant crew;The red and white and starry blueIs freedom's shield and hope. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; After this strain is played, it is repeated, sometimes with other parts called “counter-melodies”. Your email address will not be published. For a duck may be somebody’s mother. The never-ending watchword of our land; Where the weather is cold and damp. So, just remember: This is the case with this particular composition known as the “Stars and Stripes Forever”. Typically performed with the loudest dynamic level using all of the sections in the ensemble to bring this composition to a rousing conclusion. All of his life, John Philip Sousa loved music and loved America, … Not only had Sousa become “The March King” with a great band, but he was a superb entertainer with this band. Let despots remember the day The Stars and Stripes Forever, march by American composer John Philip Sousa that premiered in 1897.