The Sousa Band

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era. Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. on November 6, 1854, to John Antonio Sousa and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus. Born of both Portuguese and Bavarian ancestry. His father was Portuguese, and his mother of Bavarian ancestry. Sousa started his music education by playing the violin as a pupil of John Esputa and George Felix Benkert for harmony and musical composition at the age of six. At this time he also began studying voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn. He was found to have absolute pitch. When Sousa reached the age of 13, his father, a trombonist in the Marine

John Philip Sousa’s career started out when he was the conductor of the military band. Then he was thinking that the military band wasn't quite the right thing for him to so he decided to resign.

  Comments: Question 2. Question : These small instrumental ensembles were used as military bands in the Revolutionary War:

Jelly Roll Morton was one of the greatest most talented mans to play the pianist at the tempo he plays it’s at. After sitting and listening to for an hour and a half I realized what a great pianist was. I was exotic when I heard him playing; it was nothing to do but flow with the music after hearing it. It really lit a fire under me to actually enjoy music with a nice pitch and a definite tone.

Mr. Bethel from childhood to about eighteen years old had always aspired to become a world renowned musician. When he made it to high school, he played the trumpet within the Charleston High School band. Although he played with a band, the passion of music did not begin here. Music became interesting for him as a small child. On about every Friday night, he and his family would go to a near neighbor’s house to watch a fight. At the end of these broadcasts, the United States flag would wave across the screen and in the background there would be an orchestra playing. Mr. Bethel mentioned, “I always wanted to be a background musician, playing in an orchestra”.

When J.J. Johnson was 11 years old, his mother, Nina, sent him to piano lessons, and he briefly played the baritone saxophone at school.  At the age of 14, J.J. Johnson’s classmates wanted to be in a band and needed a trombone player, so he took the opportunity and never looked back. Johnson and his friends were really enjoying the concept melody solos from the tenor saxophonist, Lester Young, and he was also drawn to the Trombone work of Dickie Wells. Therefore, around 1941 and 1942, J.J Johnson joined two bands called Clarence Love’s Regional Touring Band and Snookum Russell’s Band. Johnson then received a suggestion to join the band of Saxophonist Benny Carter for an extended tour, so the spring of 1945, Johnson worked with Carter’s band as a trombonist and a staff manager.

They didn't have their music memorized and they were mostly in step. There were color guard and dancers along with a pit, trombones, trumpets, clarinets, flutes, piccolos, saxophones and sousaphones.

The strings were the most important; first violins had the melody, along with clarinet melodic solos, while the lower strings accompanied. The brass filled out the harmony, but did not play the main melody. Timpani were used for rhythmic bite and emphasis.

Watching Louis Armstrong’s live performance in Berlin during the year 1965 was a pleasure, especially because I am a great fan of his music. Throughout the concert in Berlin, Armstrong and his chamber orchestra played 13 different pieces. With the exception of Jewel Woods’ entrance on vocals for two songs, the makeup of the chamber orchestra did not change throughout the concert. As a result, the cello, clarinet, drums, piano, trombone, and trumpet remained vital parts of each song throughout the concert.

General Lee once remarked, “Without music, there would have been no army” (Kehoe). The New York Herald concurred with Lee in 1862 when a reporter wrote, “All history proves that music is as indispensable to warfare as money; and money has been called the sinews of war. Music is the soul of Mars...” (Bowman). It is evident from these quotes the important role music played in helping soldiers from both armies cope during the war. The Civil War would have been immensely different without the considerable influence that music had on both the Union and Confederate armies. Music played a significant role in motivating soldiers to overcome their hardships in both the Union and the Confederate armies by entertaining and comforting, bringing back memories of home and family, and strengthening the bonds between comrades and helping forge new bonds.

Marching band was one of the most difficult/challenging activity systems that I have ever done in my life. But at the same time it was an inspirational and motivating aspect of my life. The very first thing it taught me was the definition of hard work. This was because I spent hundreds of hours to my dedication and devotion to band marching around the field in the hot sun every day. Even though there were times when I wanted to quit; one such instance was when we were out performed by another school, other times it was becuase of the teacher being a little too hard on me when I first started. Despite setbacks such as these, I had an ardent attraction to marching band, mainly because in middle school I was a part of concert band, which made me love music. The biggest, reason why I chose to do marching band, aside from my enjoyment of music, was because towards the end of my eighth grade year my middle school band director told us about a huge opportunity that we had coming up to become a part of the high school across the street marching band. They were called the Titan Regiment. She told us the difference between concert and

I have been playing volleyball for as long as I can remember. From playing in club volleyball tournaments in the spring to bumping the volleyball around in my living room, I spend most of time playing or practicing for a sport. Most people believe that the only reason kids play sports is because they have athletic skill. I believe that playing a sport is more than just becoming the best player physically, but becoming the best player that your team needs you to be.

During the 1930s the average American that was 15 years or older would drink seven gallons of pure alcohol a year, three times more than the average American drinks now!1 Prohibition was sparked by women since they were the ones who suffered the most. Women did not have many rights, so when they got abused by drunk men it was seen as a small issue. Women and other groups eventually got 46 of the 48 states to ratify the 18th amendment on January 16,1919.2 The 18th amendment on article one says "...the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited."3 The first article on the 18th amendment is saying that the sale, making, or even bringing liquor into the United States or any of the United States' territory will now be illegal. Prohibition began to show its weakness right away when the United Sates government did not show much support. After the first year of prohibition the American people started to show less support and even led to organized crime. In 1933, the United States Constitution was amended to repeal the 18th amendment in the form of the 21st amendment.4 Even though prohibition seemed like a great idea it failed due to lack of support, illegal operations, and alcohol addictions that the American people had.

When the question is brought up, “What does band mean to you?” I immediately think of the responsibility, hard work, and dedication and band has given me the chance to learn and strengthen. In addition to these life skills are many others, such as leadership, teamwork, and friendship. The Force has made more than just a difference in my high school career, it has impacted my life and has provided me with skills that will follow me throughout my life. Band means to supporting each other as we work through the hard times and grow closer as a family. Band means working hard and taking on responsibility for yourself. It also means being dependable, that people can count on you and your ability to achieve the unthinkable.

As far back as Jean can remember she’s always been attracted to Alan. Jean belonged to the poorest family in the clan and her father is the Laird’s farrier. Her mother Brenda, works in the castle’s kitchen preparing food for the royals. Her first glimpse of the castle was when she turned 16 and was employed as an extra hand to do the dishes and clean the kitchen floors. Those were also the few times she’d chance upon Alan who was 22 at that time. He’d come in sometimes dressed in his armor as he practiced jousting with his father’s men. Alan, being the first-born male in the family was the successor to the Lairdship. He was tall with blue eyes, robust physique, and blonde hair. He was always preoccupied with so many things his father would