The Stars and Stripes Forever

The Stars and Stripes Forever, march by American composer John Philip Sousa that premiered in 1897. The piece stands as the quintessential example of the composer’s music.

Sousa composed well over 100 marches, and the best known of all those is the patriotic The Stars and Stripes Forever. The piece was an immediate success, and, from the time of its publication until his death 35 years later, Sousa and his band performed it at most of their concerts. As with most Sousa marches, The Stars and Stripes Forever begins with a short, rousing introduction, followed by three contrasting melodies of varied moods. The boldest of those melodies is restated grandly along with a formidable piccolo solo in the finale. Although Sousa had set his own poetry to the music, the piece is more often heard in its instrumental form. In 1987 The Stars and Stripes Forever was designated as the official march of the United States.