10014 – Semper Fidelis

J.P. Sousa (1854-1932)

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Medium

Price: £20

Programme notes:

The famous ‘March King’ is rightly renowned for his large output of wonderful marches but this mono-faceted view of him obscures his other achievements. Before being appointed leader of the US Marines Band he spent time playing the violin in theatres. This influence was formative and during his life he was well known for his operettas as well as for his famous concert band. He also wrote three novels, which gave an interesting insight into contemporary American life. His continuing popularity, though, rests of the vigorous melodic style of his many marches. His creative use of a potentially stagnant standardised form is virtuoso craftsmanship of the highest order. Each of his marches has a turn of phrase, a shift of harmony or itty instrumental touch that set them above the norm, ensuring that they remain standards of the repertoire.

Performance notes:

Play with a lively swing. Make sure that the accompaniment in the first section has character but is well beneath the main melodic lines.

If no percussion is available cut E to F. the players of the lead lines can stand up one by one in the trio section (3/4 tpts, then 2 tpt and ½ trb, then 1 tpt.