Today an interesting exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps caught our eye about the march king, John Philip Sousa, whom we knew from a 1952 movie, Stars and Stripes Forever.
Some of the music featured we’ve sung weekly in our homeschool.
1797 – MARINE CORPS BAND
During the John Adams administration in 1797, the Fifth Congress established the United States Marine Band.
1801 – THE PRESIDENT’S OWN
In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson nicknamed The Marine Band according to British custom.
As the Brits called their special units the king’s own or the queen’s own, so now The Marine Band would forever be known as The President’s Own.
Jefferson asked The Marine Band to play at his inauguration, which began a tradition.
They’ve played at every presidential inauguration since.
1805 – JEFFERSON CHOOSES ITALIAN BAND MEMBERS
In typical Jeffersonian style, our third president helped to choose the band members.
When our ships were based at Tripoli during the pirate wars in 1805, several Italian musicians were recruited at Jefferson’s suggestion.
1806 – STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Interestingly, the tune of the Star Spangled Banner was sung to at the White House during Jefferson’s presidency, although the lyrics to our anthem hadn’t yet been written.
LATE 19TH CENTURY – JOHN PHILIP SOUSA, THE MARCH KING
Marching through the timeline of The Marine Band music must include the works of John Philip Sousa, The March King, from the late 19th century.
While in 1888 John Philip Sousa wrote Semper Fidelis, in 18968 he wrote Stars and Stripes Forever, which is enthusiastically received on patriotic celebrations.
1905 – MAPLE LEAF RAG
Another popular piece in The Marine Band repertoire is Maple Leaf Rag.
This tradition began in 1905 when President Theodore Roosevelt’s 21-year-old daughter, Alice, requested this popular song to be played at a White House reception.
Of course, The Marine Band obliged, and it became not only history, but also tradition.
