The Royal Artillery Band, one of the largest symphonic wind bands in the British Army, has origins reaching back to 1557 and has been quartered in Woolwich, SE London, since 1764.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Philip Sousa believed a march 'should make a man with a wooden leg step out', and he standardized the march form while also composing over 200 other works.
Composer Biography
John Philip Sousa, born in 1854, became conductor of the U.S. Marine Band at the age of 26 in 1880, earning him the title of 'The March King'.
Compositional Technique
John Philip Sousa modified the brass band by decreasing brass and percussion, increasing woodwinds, and adding a harp, enabling his ensemble to execute varied programs.
Cultural Impact
John Philip Sousa's band, formed in 1892, gave 3500 concerts in its first seven years and logged over a million miles in nearly four decades, including European and a world tour.
Cultural Impact
The Washington Post march, composed by John Philip Sousa, made him famous, made the newspaper famous, and made the two-step dance famous, sparking a world-wide dance craze.
Historical Context
From the Civil War to about 1920, band concerts were the most important aspect of U.S. musical life, and the Sousa Band became the standard by which American bands were measured.
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