• “The Stars and Stripes Forever” was composed by John Philip Sousa on December 25, 1896.

• This piece is now the national march of the

United states

• “The Stars and Stripes Forever” was composed by John Philip Sousa on December 25, 1896.

• This piece is now the national march of the

United states

John Philip Sousa

1854-1932

Scored for Band

Listen for these sections:

WOODWINWOODWINDSDS

Saxophones

Clarinets

Flutes and Piccolos

Oboes

Bassoons

BRASBRASSS

Trombones

Trumpets

French HornsBaritones and Tubas

PERCUSSIPERCUSSIONON

Cymbals

Timpani

Snare Drums

Bass Drums

This march is in cut time

Two beats to a measure, the half

note gets one beat.

1 2 1 & 2 &

piano

p

This section is

Listen for the dynamic contrasts

The low brass have the melody

TheThe clarinets playplay a countermelody

The percussion section keeps the beat

FORTE

The section repeats at

Other instruments now join Other instruments now join in.in.

Now listen for the change in musical style

The BRASS sections have the melody

Listen to the smooth, connected style that they play

This is called

LEGATO

Now listen to the short and separated style

that they play

This is called

STACCATO

The PICCOLOS have a solo

This is the final section of the march,

so is it played at

FORTISSIMO

The final section is two themes played together.

The piccolos play one melody, while

the other instruments play another.

Both themes are taken from earlier in the piece.