Free Concert Dec. 17th for Anniversary of J.P. Sousa Visit

On December 17, 1923, renowned composer and conductor John Philip Sousa and his band made a stop here in Great Falls, one of several visits to the Electric City.

On December 17th, 2023, musicians from Great Falls and across Cascade County will perform a free concert to commemorate the anniversary of that visit in tribute to Sousa.

If your concert music history is a bit rusty, here's a quick summary.

John Philip Sousa is the composer of some of the most well-known military marches in America, to the point where he's known as "the March King".  You've heard his music, even if you aren't aware of it.

Some of those well known marches include:

• "Stars and Stripes Forever", the national march of the United States.
• "Semper Fidelis" March, official march of the U.S. Marine Corps.
• "U.S. Field Artillery" March, a modified version of which serves as the official song of the U.S. Army, "The Army Goes Rolling Along".
• "Liberty Bell" March, which some may recognize more easily as the theme from "Monty Python's Flying Circus".

See, I told you that you'd heard his music!  There are others, but these are among the most recognizable.

The anniversary concert will take place December 17th at 3pm, at the C.M. Russell High School Auditorium.

You can find more information at the Great Falls Municipal Band Facebook page.

Hope to see you there!