The stars and stripes forever

“The Stars and Stripes Forever” was composed by John Philip Sousa on December 25th 1896 while Sousa was one his way home from Europe with his wife when he discovered that David Blakely, the manager of the Sousa band, had recently passed away. He composed the song in his head and did not write the notes down until he arrived in the United States. Sousa also wrote lyrics to the piece, though they are not widely known. The song was first performed just outside Philadelphia on May 14, 1897. The song is patriotic American march and was declared the official national march of the United States by congress. The song is played for the United States president after he gives a speech at a public forum, event or ceremony, while “Hail to the Chief” is played when the President is introduced. Sousa also played the song at almost every concert he held after writing it because it was very popular. It was not unusual for the band to play it multiple times at the same event, each time louder than the last. Today it is commonly played in the key of Eb by military and high school bands across the nation. It has been rearranged many times by different composers, but is still available in the original format and has a run time that usually lasts around four minutes.
"The Stars and Stripes Forever." The Stars and Stripes Forever. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2013.
"Sousa: The March King." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. Summary: The stars and stripes forever was written by John Phillip Sousa on December 25th 1896 and was first performed on May 14, 1897. It is a patriotic march and performed for the president after he gives speeches. It was declared the official national march of the United States by congress, and was written with the inspiration of the death of the manager of Sousa’s band.