| Marketing Copy | “In the late 1920’s it became increasingly difficult for professional concert bands to find employment at amusement parks or expositions, even for a few days. As the engagements at Philadelphia’s Willow Grove Park were coming to an end, the Sousa Band was happy to extend its regular tour by playing at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. They began regular seasons there in 1926, and Sousa penned this almost-forgotten march to celebrate their second annual engagement. The march was reportedly written at the suggestion of Atlantic City’s mayor, Anthony M. Ruffu. Sousa probably had the Miss America Pageant in mind; at that time, it was known as the Atlantic City Beauty Pageant.” -Paul E. Bierley, website of the U.S. Marine Corps Band. This premiere edition for the modern concert band was prepared by the Library of Congress senior musicologist and foremost Sousa scholar, Loras John Schissel. |
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