05/27/2026
European roots. American sound.
John Philip Sousa was trained within the orchestral tradition as a classical musician, studying violin, piano, flute, several brass instruments, and voice.
Works like Rossini’s dramatic William Tell Overture were part of the musical landscape Sousa studied, performed, and later reimagined. He even created his own band arrangement of the overture, bringing it to American audiences in a new way.
In our Stars & Stripes Forever program, the first half sets the stage with that European influence. Then, in the second half, hear how "The March King" transforms those musical ideas into a bold, unmistakably American voice.
Saturday, May 30th at 3:00PM | Carpenter Theatre
Tickets still available! Link 🔗 in bio
