Let's talk about John Philip Sousa

'My religion lies in my composition' - John Philip Sousa

March music has always been a weird fascination of mine. As a musician in general I like my music to be exciting, loud, and bombastic. From powerful symphonies and rousing sonatas, march music would be the next logical progression. Although, he's known as the march king, he's not some sort of one-dimensional composer by any means.

John Philip Sousa, born on 1854 this puts him squarely during the late Romantic period. He composed 130 Marches while making an also sizeable amount of arrangements. John Philip Sousa has also composed Operettas, Fantasies, Tone Poems, and Vocal Music; although obviously they're less popular compared to his marches.

As a side note, as part of my research for this post I gave El Capitan a listen on YouTube (listen to it here: https://youtu.be/GR6g23QMO54) and thoroughly enjoyed the part of it that was online which was the first musical number. Even though it was brief, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You can still hear some parts of his march music incorporated into this operetta notably with the use of percussive instruments as well as the slightly heavier use of brass than what was I was used to. I felt that definite Gilbert and Sullivan vibe which I think what Sousa was going for with this composition.

Speaking of Gilbert and Sullivan. Aside from the marches he composed, as mentioned earlier, he also arranged music and he arranged a march from the tunes of Mikado (aptly named The Mikado March: https://youtu.be/VR7Sb2SnyLA) and the Pirates of Penzance (called Selections from "Pirates of Penzance": https://youtu.be/EchHJ2h4mck).

"So this man, gets to compose and arrange music that he likes; give me something really interesting." I hear you thinking to yourself... probably. Did you know that John Philip Sousa has an instrument named after him, called the Sousaphone. It's the circular brass instrument that wraps around the player. (pictured below) I don't know how common knowledge this is because I've seen people call the Sousaphone a Tuba (although it's not wrong to call it one, I guess.)

I guess, a conversation about John Philip Sousa can't conclude without mentioning his magnum opus The Stars and Stripes Forever. Composed while on a ship ride back from Europe; and since I don't like encroaching on other people's works I'll direct you here (https://youtu.be/8YgYkgRx2zA) It's a good video explanation of the background and the breakdown of the music.

I think even though I am not American his music including his Marches deserve a spot in Classical Music canon, not for any single contribution but for the little but plentiful contributions of marches with beautiful and catchy melodies. The fun use of Chromaticism in El Capitan and his various arrangements to make march more accessible. I know that arrangements for Marching band still lives on but there's something lost from the sheen and bombast that is the March.

Following in the footsteps of the March King, I tried to compose a March and had difficulty so instead I composed a fanfare which you can watch here (https://youtu.be/D_zko_kD3ig)

Peace, love, and loud booming bass drums to you, always.