Minnesota March, The

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (ed. Frederick Fennell)


General Info

Year: 1927 / 1968
Duration: c. 3:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Sam Fox
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $9.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Field Drum
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

It seems incredible that an institution would refuse a composition by a composer of Sousa's stature, but this happened in the summer of 1927 in Minneapolis. Clarence W. Spears, coach of the University of Minnesota football team, had verbally requested the march for his school in 1926; the following year the march was formally requested by the alumni organization. When the time came for the dedication of the march at the Minnesota State Fair on September 3, 1927, the delegated alumni representative was out of town, and Lotus D. Coffman, president of the university, was asked to accept Sousa's manuscript of the march on behalf of the university. He refused, however, because he felt the march should be presented at a university function, not at the state fair, and he was wary of commercial implications. Nevertheless, the dedication ceremony was held, and the Sousa manuscript was accepted by the state fair president.

Sousa used Indian themes in the march, though sparingly, because he had been impressed by the number of Indian names in Minnesota. He later added field drum and bugle arts upon the request of Colonel Frederick G. Stutz, commanding officer of the 206th National Guard Infantry Regiment of Minnesota. The march's title was chosen in a campus contest, and words were written by student Michael J. Jalma.

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


Media


State Ratings

  • Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP II


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. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, p. 60.
  • Sousa, J.; Fennell, F. (1968). The Minnesota March[score]. Sam Fox Co.: New York.