In 1897, Maine music lovers were treated to a premiere of "The Stars and Stripes

Authors

Ellen MacDonald Ward

Source

Down East

Date

7-1-1997

Pages

72-73, 93-94

Abstract

In 1897, Maine music lovers were treated to a premiere of "The Stars and Stripes Forever," performed by composer John Phillip Sousa and the U.S. Marine Band at the newly completed Augusta City Hall. Research indicates that this was the first public performance of the piece, predating a Philadelphia premiere days later. Sousa had just scored the march for his band and wanted to rehearse it before the Philadelphia engagement. He had promised to save the march for Philadelphia and so refused to identify it in Maine. Within a year of its premiere, it became one of the most popular pieces of music ever written.

Subjects

Music, Sousa, John Phillip

Recommended Citation

Ward, Ellen MacDonald, "In 1897, Maine music lovers were treated to a premiere of "The Stars and Stripes" (1997). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 2416.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/2416