If you’ve ever watched a Fourth of July parade, you’ve almost certainly heard this one.
Episode 68 is all about “The Stars and Stripes Forever” — John Philip Sousa’s most famous march, and the official national march of the United States. We’re pulling back the curtain on this piece: where it came from, what was going on in Sousa’s life when he wrote it, and why it hit the way it did when it was first performed.
The story behind how this march got written is genuinely interesting (I don’t want to spoil it here), and I think it’s one of those moments where learning the backstory makes you hear the music completely differently.
We also spend some time looking at how a traditional military band march is actually put together — the structure, the sections, the way it builds. Sousa basically perfected this form, and once you know what to listen for, you’ll start hearing it everywhere.
After you listen, I’d love for you and your kids to pull up a recording of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” from the links below and see if you can pick out the different sections. It’s one of those pieces that’s fun to just… listen to with new ears.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 67: The Life & Music of John Philip Sousa
Musical Samples You’ll Hear in this Episode:
SOUSA The Stars and Stripes Forever
Music Listening Schedule for Episode 68
I’ve created a YouTube playlist for you with the music discussed in today’s episode along with some other arrangements of “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Click here to listen to it.
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