On December 24, 1910, the Sousa Band embarked on a world tour. Although not the first group to travel around the world, the publicity generated was immense (although the financial rewards were only modest). Sousa’s reputation, marches and recordings preceded him; he and the band were welcomed as conquering heroes at every port.
Sousa was in poor health at the beginning of the tour, having contracted malaria during hunting trip in the fall of 1910. After spending two weeks in the hospital, he met the band in mid-tour in Montreal and finished a series of “farewell” concerts before sailing from New York on December 24.
Soloists for the tour were Virginia Root (soprano), Nicoline Zederer (violin), Herbert L. Clarke (cornet), John J. Perfetto (euphonium), Ralph Corey (trombone), Paul J. Senno (piccolo), Joseph Norrito (clarinet) and Joseph Marthage (harp).
Here is a summary of their itinerary (for a complete list of tour stops, consult Paul Bierley’s The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa):
- Jan 9-Mar 3 1911: England, Ireland
- Mar 24-Apr 21: South Africa
- May 12-Aug 23: Tasmania, Australia, New Zealand
- Sep 10-Oct 15: Hawaii, Western Canada & U.S.
- Oct 23-Dec 1: Midwestern U.S. (TX, OK, KS, MO, NE, IA, WI, MN, MI, IL, OH)
- Dec 4-Dec 10: NY
Hi
are there available recordings of Virginia Root singing with the band?
Thanks
Steven Simon
Hello, Just wanted to point out a slight amendment to the dates above… Sousa’s tour of New Zealand concluded on 31st August, 1911 in Auckland. The final season of the tour ran in Auckland from 23rd August until 31st August and the performers sailed on 1st September, 1911. For confirmation please refer to this site…
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19110901.2.32?end_date=31-12-1921&items_per_page=10&page=3&query=sousa&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1910&title=ALG%2cACNZC%2cAS%2cAKTIM%2cDSC%2cFRTIM%2cKWE%2cNZH%2cNZHAG%2cNZ%2cTO%2cPWT%2cROTWKG%2cSUNAK
Dear Mr. Lowe,
Thank you for this additional information and attached article as it makes a nice addition to the original concert program I have from 31st August 1911. Any chance you are related to Dr. William Lowe, who had the dual roll distinction of percussionist and the Band’s physician throughout the World Tour?
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
Does anyone know where to find Sousa’s tour dates for 1927-1931?
Thanks,
Dear Mr. Campbell,
The best resource for your query is the Dr. Paul E. Bierley’s book, “The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa.” Appendix 1 is devoted to every tour Sousa’s Band played with day-by-day tour stops, concert halls, etc., including the years you seek. I hope this helpful and best wishes with your research.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
I have a photograph of Penn Station advertising Sousa and his Band playing there on December 3, 19??
Anyone know what year this was?
Dear Mr. Restelli,
Thank you for your query. Assuming the Penn Station mentioned is in NYC, in the 39-year history of Sousa’s Band, there were only four occasions when they performed in NY on December 3rd – 1892 (Oneida & Rome); 1893 (Brooklyn); and 1915 (Hippodrome Theatre). I hope this is helpful.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
I just found a pamphlet book titled “Around the World with Sousa, a Memento of the Tour” by Edmund A. Wall. I know that Wall was on the 1910 tour. It’s really fascinating as it’s a poem that talks about every member of the band.
Has anyone seen something like this before? My search on the internet came up empty.
Dear Mr. Stice,
Thank you for your query. Yes, in fact each member of Sousa’s Band received a copy of this memento. It’s interesting when the Band reached Los Angeles, four members left or quit the tour so perhaps they missed getting one. Their sudden departure is a mystery to this day.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
Hello. I am a band instructor in Japan.
I heard that the arrangement of the sousa band is different from the current band arrangement (for example, the Cornet is in the front row).
Are there any such documents left?
Greetings and thank you for reaching out to this forum. Regarding the seating arrangement of Sousa’s Band, yes, there are numerous photographs available in current books on John Philip Sousa and the Sousa Band showing them in concert formation.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
Was Joseph DeLio clarinet in this band?
Dear Mr. De Leo,
Thank you for your query regarding Mr. DeLio and yes, his known years of service in Sousa’s Band include the 1901 British Tour, the 3rd 1902 tour, the 1903 European tour, and the 1907 tour. Researcher Paul Bierley estimates Mr. DeLio performed on other tours as well; however, information is lacking.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
Hello- may I inquire about the picture of the African tour and my connection thereto? As a child I was told that my grandfather-William E. Siegmann played in the Sousa Band and was on the Africa tour. He played and was “first chair”(?) cornetist. In the picture taken of the group as they left (above) the player seated on the front row (far right) appears to be him holding his horn. I have only just learned of the sources for infos and have not yet been able to search further. I am 94yo and will try to get one of the books as reference when I can. Thank you for any info you can share!
Allen Schell. (My mother was Mae L. Siegmann)
Dear Mr. Schell,
Thank you for your query regarding your grandfather and his connection to Sousa’s Band; specifically, during the 1910-11 World Tour that included South Africa. Currently, there are no records indicating Mr. Siegmann was in the band as all cornet and trumpet players on that tour are accounted for. The gentleman seated at the far right in the first row is Guy Gaugler. The others were Herbert L. Clarke (solo cornetist and asst. conductor), Harry Freeman, Ross Millhouse, Clarence Russell, and Victor Welte. Clarke’s brother Edwin, who was band manager also substituted on cornet when necessary.
I’m sorry I don’t have better news to share and thank you again for reaching out.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
I own Herbert Clarke’s cornet that Conn custom engraved for this very world tour.
Apparently, C.G. Conn, the lead sponsor for Sousa’s band, gave out fresh, new instruments with “World Tour” and the players initials engraved specially for this historic tour.
While searching through eBay for Conn cornets about 10 years ago, I was looking at the pictures on a listing and saw a picture of the bell with the engraving “World Tour” and “H C”.
I did a little digging and found out about the world tour and my wife told me “If you don’t buy that cornet, somebody is going to make it into a lamp”. So I bought it for $87. I sent images of it to the curator of the Sousa / Clarke Archives and Center for American Music at the University of Illinois and he confirmed it’s authenticity.
The problem I have is that I don’t know what to do with it. As a trumpet/cornet player, I’m too spooked to play it. Besides the bell and slides, the horn is in bad shape. Especially the leadpipe which was “fixed” with a hack job of a repair. I want to donate it to someplace that will repair / restore it the way it should be and show the horn so people can see it.
Thanks!
David Bauer
Winter Park, FL
Dear Mr. Bauer,
Thank you very much for your missive. As a serious researcher and collector of Sousa-related artifacts, I be very appreciative to see a couple of pictures, especially of the engraving you mentioned. I am fortunate to possess a substantial archive of World Tour memorabilia including several real photo postcards of Mr. Clarke in solo performance while on tour. These images were obtained thanks in part to Mr. Sousa’s use of reduced instrumentation during the solo numbers allowing tubist Emil Mix to move about, capturing some amazing photos. While not touring with Sousa’s Band, Mr. Clarke was a cornet tester for Conn and there is an image of him in the testing room at the Conn factory in series of postcards published by them. I will include my contact info if you wish to correspond and/or would like a copy of the Clarke/Conn postcard. Thanks very much for reaching out.
Sincerely,
Barry Owen Furrer
bfs43093@gmail.com