Hiya folks! We are in the second half of the month, which means– it’s time for March Madness!!! Papers are flying, brackets are locked in, and the sound of trumpets…wait. Trumpets?

“That’s not an NCAA basketball team.”

You’re right!

You may hear trumpets playing in the bandstand with the pep band during replays of key game moments. But, you will definitely hear them in the music written by the “March King” himself, John Philip Sousa!

Sousa (1854-1932) was a prolific American composer and conductor most famous for his 137 marches. He wrote Stars and Stripes Forever which became our National March, Semper Fidelis the official Marine Corps march, and The Thunderer a local marching band favorite. But, what makes a march a march? Can you call anything a march? Good question! Well…

A march can be identified by its form/overall structure (think poetry rhyming schemes here AABB.) With marches you typically have an introduction, first idea (A), second idea (B), a way different third idea with only some of the band (trio/c), and then the endings just sort of depends–sometimes it’s just a fourth idea (D) or it can be a breakstrain (Br) plus an Grandioso (C).  Throw in a dash of repeats and voila!

Easier march: Intro-AA-BB-cC

Regimental march: Intro-AA-BB-CC-DD

Military march: Intro-AA-BB-c(c)-Br-c-Br-C

Ok–so now you know a bit about what a march is, but what is it for? It’s not dance music like a waltz, or a piece to show off one particular instrument like a concerto. I’m sure by now you have a sense that it’s tied up in the military. Back in the day the drum, fife, and bugle (all instruments that can be heard pretty well outdoors) would be used to alert troops, signal formations, boost the spirits, and keep soldiers moving. Marches are what they are named after!

So, the next time you’re waiting excitedly for the floats of a Mardi Gras parade, or anticipating a half-time show, or even watching college basketball –be on the lookout for the band, listen for the strains of a Sousa march, and remember to keep moving.