The Stars and Stripes Forever By John Philip Sousa

“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

Listen for these sections: Scored for Band Listen for these sections:

Flutes and Piccolos WOODWINDS Saxophones Bassoons Clarinets Oboes

Trombones Trumpets BRASS French Horns Baritones and Tubas

Timpani Cymbals PERCUSSION Snare Drums Bass Drums

Two beats to a measure, the half note gets one beat. This march is in cut time  Two beats to a measure, the half note gets one beat. 1 2 1 & 2 &

Listen for the dynamic contrasts This section is piano p

The low brass have the melody The clarinets play a countermelody The percussion section keeps the beat

The section repeats at FORTE 

Other instruments now join 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.