Oklahoma Day!

Oklahoma Day!

While attaining statehood in 1907 as our 46th state, the earliest appearances of Sousa and His Band took place in the Oklahoma territory in 1904 with concerts in Chickasha, El Reno, Enid, Guthrie, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Perry, Reno City, and South McAlester. From...
Happy Birthday, Irving Berlin!

Happy Birthday, Irving Berlin!

Irving Berlin was born on May 11th, 1888 in Temun, Siberia. Born Israel Baline, his family fled to America in 1893 escaping Russian persecution of Jews while settling in Manhattan’s Lower East side. Without schooling or formal training, Berlin’s career began as a...
Jamestown Day and Powhatan’s Daughter

Jamestown Day and Powhatan’s Daughter

Jamestown Day is commemorated annually on May 8th, and 2023 marks the 416th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Steeped in intrigue, controversy, and conundrum, including cannibalism, the introduction of slavery, and violent clashes...
The March King’s Sax Appeal

The March King’s Sax Appeal

November the 6th not only marks the birth of John Philip Sousa but also the saxophone’s inventor, Antoine-Joseph ‘Adolphe’ Sax (1814-1894) as the shared birthday also denotes National Saxophone Day in honor of the Belgian musician and inventor. While Hector Berlioz,...
National Checklist Day

National Checklist Day

October 30th is recognized as National Checklist Day and if there was anyone in the Sousa organization who benefitted from a checklist, it was longtime band librarian, Clarence J. “Buss” Russell! Mr. Russell joined Sousa’s Band in time for the World Tour in 1910,...
National Sons Day – John Philip Sousa Jr.

National Sons Day – John Philip Sousa Jr.

September 28th is National Sons Day so this post is dedicated not to The March King and his father, Antonio, but rather to John Philip Sousa, Jr. John, Jr,. was the first of three Sousa children and was born on April 1st, 1881. He was educated in Washington, New York...