Golden Star, The

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa


Subtitle: A Memorial March for Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt


General Info

Year: 1919 / 2019
Duration: c. 4:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Chappell Music
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Condensed Score
E-flat Piccolo/Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet/E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Bass Clarinet/B-flat Tenor Saxophone
B-flat Repiano Clarinet
B-flat Cornet I-II
Horn in E-flat I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

On the front cover of this World War I dirge is the following inscription:

Dedicated to Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt
In memory of the brave
Who gave their lives

That liberty shall not perish.

Specifically, the march was composed on memory of Theodore Roosevelt and his son Quentin Roosevelt, who was killed in France. Sousa summed up his sentiments in an interview. "It will not be a monetary success. One cannot write from his heart and write for rewards. I was thinking of these fine young boys who will never return."

The composition was heartily but seriously received immediately after the war but was dropped from the Sousa Band repertoire gradually as the nation returned to normal. Taps was included in one section of the march, and this brought about several sorrowful reactions from audiences. At one concert in Reno, Nevada, for instance, women burst into tears and band could scarcely hear itself play.

- Program Note from John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Bierley, P. (1973). John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works. University of Illinois Press; Urbana, pp. 49.
  • Perusal score
  • Sousa, J. (1919). The Golden Star : A Memorial March to Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt [score]. Chappell: [s.l.].