John Philip Sousa Music and Personal Papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Subject Terms

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Original music manuscripts

Published Music

Ephemera and Uniforms

Photographs



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Finding Aid for John Philip Sousa Music and Personal Papers, circa 1880-1932 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Tad Boehmer, Kelly Carlson, Adriana Cuervo, Kathryn Feazel, Reed Gallo, Eduardo Herrera, Lisa Lehman, Elizabeth Miller, Mary Miller, Tracy Parish, Noah Lenstra, and Aaron, Samantha and Scott Schwartz

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Collection Overview

Title: John Philip Sousa Music and Personal Papers, circa 1880-1932Add to your cart.View associated digital content.

ID: 12/9/51

Primary Creator: Sousa, John Philip (1854-1932)

Extent: 239.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection of papers is organized into four series: Series 1, Original Music Manuscripts; Series 2, Published Music; Series 3, Ephemera and Uniforms; and Series 4, Photographs.  The original music manuscripts are arranged alphabetically by either composer or arranger and the published music is arranged sequentially by a number that was unique to the original Sousa music catalog. Unidentified and unnumbered music was placed at the end of each grouping of music.  Whenever possible an identification of the format of the music for each title(i.e., full score, condensed score, piano score, and parts) has been identified with the corresponding abbreviations, FS, CS, PS, P. The ephemera, consisting of correspondence, newsclippings, programs, and artifacts, is arranged alphabetically by type of material.  The photographs are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Subjects: Band Concerts, Band Musicians, Bands, Brass Bands, Marines, United States, Military Bands, Military History, Military Music, Music Composition, Navy, United States, Sousa, John Philip, United States Marine Band

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of original and published music, arrangements of western European symphonic music for wind band by Sousa and other musicians, microfilm of original music, correspondence, newsclippings, photographs, programs and artifacts documenting the life and career of John Philip Sousa as musician, composer, bandleader, and "March King."   Of particular interest are the original parts to "Stars and Stripes Forever," correspondence between A. Austin Harding and Sousa, and photographs of Sousa with the Band.

See also record series number 35/3/68.

Biographical Note

John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, DC on November 6, 1854.  It was an era of the 5-cent cigar, Saturday evening baths, the horse and buggy, candle-lit parlors and gas-illuminated street lights.  During his formative years Sousa witnessed the destructive forces of the Civil War as a child growing up in his nation's Capitol.  Later in life he experienced the new-found joys of Ford's automobile and the painful trauma of the War to end all wars.

Sousa joined the United States Marine Band as an apprentice musician on June 9, 1868, not even fourteen years old, and remained until 1875.  His Portuguese father, a trombonist with the band since 1850, believed if his son was a member of the band he could more readily monitor his son's youthful exploits and mentor his gift for music.  Five years after leaving the Marine Band Sousa was asked to return as its director in 1880, a post that he retained until August 1, 1892.

It was under Sousa's leadership that the Marine Band finally gained permission from President Benjamin Harrison to tour beyond the immediate region surrounding Washington, DC (i.e., Richmond, Baltimore and Philadelphia).  This first tour performance took place at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre.  After meeting David Blakely in Chicago Sousa was convinced that his talents would not be utilized to the fullest with the Marine Band.  Sousa signed a contract with Blakely on May 27, 1892 to form and direct a civilian band of his own creation.  On July 30, 1892 Sousa received a second honorable discharge from the Marine Band and began establishing what today has become best known as the John Philip Sousa Band by seeking out and engaging the finest nationally and internationally recognized musicians from America and Europe.  Among the most celebrated soloists to play with the band were Herbert L. Clarke (cornet), Arthur Pryor (trombone), Simone Mantia (euphonium), Estelle Liebling (soprano) and Maud Powell (violin).

Sousa made annual transcontinential tours with his famous band from 1892 until 1931.  In those thirty-nine years the Sousa Band traveled over 700,000 miles and presented over 10,000 concerts in 1,000 cities throughout the world.  Between the months of May and October 1893 the Sousa Band, for a repeat performance, furnished the music for the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the Americas in  1492.  This engagement solidified Sousa's legacy in the annals of music and band history.  During his life time Sousa composed 137 marches, 15 operettas, 5 overtures, 11 suites, 24 dances, 28 fantasies, and 322 arrangements of nineteenth-century western European symphonic works.  In addition he wrote numerous reviews, articles on music and music education, and seven books.

Sousa's "The Washington Post" march, written for the Washington Post Amateur Author's Association ceremony held at the Smithsonian Institution on June 15, 1889, became a sensation as the accompaniment to the newly created "two-step" dance.  This truly new American dance replaced the popular western-European waltz as the most popular form of entertainment in America and Europe.  On Christmas Day 1896 Sousa composed his most recognizable work, "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the only march ever declared the national march of the United States.  This work was the last piece that Sousa conducted in public before he died in Reading, PA on March 6, 1932.

Subject/Index Terms

Band Concerts
Band Musicians
Bands
Brass Bands
Marines, United States
Military Bands
Military History
Military Music
Music Composition
Navy, United States
Sousa, John Philip
United States Marine Band

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: 1932

Acquisition Method: The music and papers were bequested to the University Bands in 1932. Thirty-nine trunks and two boxes arrived at the University in August of that year. Responsibility for the papers was transferred to the University Library in 1994.


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Original music manuscripts],
[Series 2: Published Music],
[Series 3: Ephemera and Uniforms],
[Series 4: Photographs],
[All]

Series 3: Ephemera and UniformsAdd to your cart.
Box 727Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Band Books and Covers - 2nd E-flat ClarinetAdd to your cart.
Folder 2: Band Books and Covers - Solo ClarinetAdd to your cart.
Folder 3: Band Books and Covers - 1st Clarinet (I)Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Band Books and Covers - 1st Clarinet (II)Add to your cart.
Folder 5: Band Books and Covers - 1st Clarinet (III)Add to your cart.
Folder 6: Band Books and Covers - 2nd Clarinet (II)Add to your cart.
Folder 7: Band Books and Covers - 3rd ClarinetAdd to your cart.
Folder 8: Band Books and Covers - Alto ClarinetAdd to your cart.
Folder 9: Band Books and Covers - Bass ClarinetAdd to your cart.
Folder 10: Band Books and Covers - Alto SaxophoneAdd to your cart.
Folder 11: Band Books and Covers - Baritone SaxophoneAdd to your cart.
Folder 12: Band Books and Covers - 2nd BassoonAdd to your cart.
Folder 13: Band Books and Covers - Solo CornetAdd to your cart.
Folder 14: Band Books and Covers - 2nd CornetAdd to your cart.
Folder 15: Band Books and Covers - 1st HornAdd to your cart.
Folder 16: Band Books and Covers - 2nd HornAdd to your cart.
Folder 17: Band Books and Covers - 2nd TromboneAdd to your cart.
Folder 18: Band Books and Covers - BaritoneAdd to your cart.
Folder 19: Band Books and Covers - EuphoniumAdd to your cart.
Folder 20: Band Books and Covers - Bass TromboneAdd to your cart.
Folder 21: Band Books and Covers - TimpaniAdd to your cart.
Folder 22: Band Books and Covers - Small DrumAdd to your cart.
Folder 23: Band Books and Covers - Bass DrumAdd to your cart.
Folder 24: Band Books and Covers - Solo BassAdd to your cart.
Folder 25: Band Books and CoversAdd to your cart.
Box 728: National, Patriotic and Typical Airs of All Lands (P), 1889Add to your cart.
Box 729: National, Patriotic and Typical Airs of All Lands (P), 1889Add to your cart.
Box 730: National, Patriotic and Typical Airs of All Lands (P), 1889Add to your cart.
Box 731: National, Patriotic and Typical Airs of All Lands (P), 1889Add to your cart.
Box 732Add to your cart.
Folder 1: The Fifth String, 1902Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Pipetown Sandy, 1905Add to your cart.
Folder 3: The Trumpet and Drum, 1954Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Gospel Gems by W. Warren Bentley, 1878Add to your cart.
Box 733Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Sousa performance library inventory no. 1, ca. 1925Add to your cart.
Use reference copy, see box 769.
Folder 2: Sousa performance library inventory no. 2, ca. 1925Add to your cart.
Use reference copy, see box 769.
Folder 3: Sousa performance library inventory no. 3, ca. 1925Add to your cart.
Use reference copy, see box 769.
Folder 4: Sousa performance library inventory no. 4, ca. 1925Add to your cart.
Use reference copy, see box 769.
Box 734Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Caricatures, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 2: Correspondence: Harding and Sousa, ca. 1930sAdd to your cart.
Folder 3: Correspondence: McCabe and Mills, 1915-1920Add to your cart.
Folder 4: News Clippings: St. Louis Exposition, 1895Add to your cart.
Folder 5: News Clippings: 1911-1920Add to your cart.
Folder 6: News Clippings: University of Illinois, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 7: News Clippings: UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 8: News Clippings: Sousa Obituaries, 1932Add to your cart.
Folder 9: Patron List, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 10: Centennial Press Release, 1954Add to your cart.
Folder 11: Postage Stamps (Sousa), UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 12: Program: Sousa and United States Marine Band, 1882Add to your cart.
Folder 13: Programs: 1901-1910Add to your cart.
Folder 14: Programs 1911-1920Add to your cart.
Folder 15: Programs: 1921-1930Add to your cart.
Folder 16: Programs: Fragments, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 17: Programs: Manhattan Beach Amusement Park, 1895Add to your cart.
Folder 18: Programs: Miscellaneous, 1915-1920Add to your cart.
Folder 19: Programs: Panama Pacific Exposition, 1915Add to your cart.
Folder 20: Programs: UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 21: Programs: University of Illinois 32nd Annual Concert, 1922Add to your cart.
Folder 22: Publicity, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 23: Sousa`s University of Illinois Band Audition, 1930Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Folder 24: PostcardsAdd to your cart.
Box 735: The Irish Dragoon (Photocopies of TEXT, PS, and FS from Library of Congress)Add to your cart.
Box 736Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Sousa Cigars, UI Sousa Award, UndatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
Box 737Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Unidentified pencil and ink sketches and music books, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Box 739Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Published music, newsclippings, correspondence, writing fragments, ca. 1900-1940Add to your cart.
Box 746Add to your cart.
Item 1: Black Sousa Band HatAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.002.
Box 747Add to your cart.
Item 1: Black Sousa Band HatAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.003.
Box 748Add to your cart.
Item 1: Black Sousa Band HatAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.004.
Box 749Add to your cart.
Item 1: Black Sousa Band HatAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.005.
Box 750Add to your cart.
Item 1: Black Sousa Band Uniform BlazerAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.001A.
Item 2: Black Sousa Band Uniform PantsAdd to your cart.
Accession No. 2007.120951.001B.
Box 751Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Sousa Band South African Tour Concert Program, 1911Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Sousa Band Los Angeles Concert Programs, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 3: Sousa Band Matinee Program, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 4: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 34-37, 3-4, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 5: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 20-27, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 6: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 5, 7, 10-12, 20, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 7: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-2, 28-33, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 8: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 15-22, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 9: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-2, 9-13, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Australia
Folder 10: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-13, UndatedAdd to your cart.
New Zealand
Folder 11: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs, 1911Add to your cart.
Farewell Visit, England
Folder 12: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-6, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 13: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-6, Special Opening Program, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 14: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-6, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 15: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 8-11, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 16: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 1-3, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 17: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 4-7, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 18: Sousa Band World Tour Concert Programs 3-6, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Folder 19: Concert Bulletin, 1911Add to your cart.
Official Program of Will L. Greenbaum's Attractions
Box 754Add to your cart.
Item 1: Sousa Portrait, UndatedAdd to your cart.
Color oil painting.
Box 763: Sousa's PodiumAdd to your cart.
Box 767Add to your cart.
Item 1: Handpainted Box, ca. 1903Add to your cart.
"Purchased by Mr. Sousa in Russia during his Band tour of about 1903"
Box 768Add to your cart.
Folder 1: Engraved Music Folder, undatedAdd to your cart.
Tin, leather, and rope
Item 1: Sousa Steamer Trunk, ca. 1900Add to your cart.
C.A. Taylor Trunk Works. Oak and Cast Iron Steamer Trunk, Yellow Stenciled letters on top reading: "Sousa Band." Accession Number 2004.1209051.002.
Item 2: Sousa Steamer Trunk, ca. 1900Add to your cart.
Manhattan Storage and Warehouse Company Steamer Trunk. Oak with cast iron fittings and leather handles. The top of the trunk has a company label with handwritten note reading, "Old Photographs." Accession Number 2004.1209051.003.
Box 777Add to your cart.
Item 1: Ship Decanter, 1924Add to your cart.
Pewter; given as a 70th birthday gift. Inscription reads: "To the young conductor Lieut. Com. John Philip Sousa as a birthday token from some of his Chicago friends, 1924." Accession Number 2018.120951.001

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Original music manuscripts],
[Series 2: Published Music],
[Series 3: Ephemera and Uniforms],
[Series 4: Photographs],
[All]

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