Probably the most famous march in history, Stars and Stripes Forever was composed on Christmas Day 1896 while Sousa was traveling aboard the SS Teutonic bound for New York. In his autobiography, Sousa wites that he imagined the music while at sea and set it down on paper shortly after his return home. The manuscript full score is dated April 26, 1897. The march was first performed by the composer conducting the Sousa Band on May 14, 1897 in Willow Grove Park, near Philadelphia, though this date is dusputed by the city of Augusta, Maine - who claim the premiere took place at a Sousa Band...

John Philip Sousa's The Washington Post March was written in 1889 for the newspaper's essay-writing competition award ceremony, and very swiftly gained the wide popularity it has retained to this day. Robert Gower's well-crafted and playable arrangement will work well on pretty much any size of instrument, and will make a welcome addition to the organist's repertoire of ceremonial voluntaries for grand occasions.