Northern Pines, The

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa


General Info

Year: 1931 / 1998
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G. Schirmer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00   |   Score Only (print) - $10.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

D-flat Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet Solo-I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
Harp
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

So much is said from the negative side about the youth that it indeed restores one's faith to find here, year after year, hundreds of boys and girls with such ideals, such marked ability and evident industry." Many times in the 1920s Sousa expressed optimism about the future of music in America. The country's potential was in the hands of youthful musicians whose capabilities inspired him to countless occasions. Perhaps his greatest inspiration in this vein came in July 1930, when he was guest conductor at the National Music Camp at Interlochen. After the memorable occasion, he was invited to return the following year.

The camp at Interlochen was founded by Dr. Joseph E. Maddy, among beautiful pines of Northern Michigan in Indian country. Just prior to Sousa's second visit, he composed The Northern Pines and dedicated it to Dr. Maddy and the camp. He conducted the national high school band in the first performance at a Sousa Day program on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 1931, at which time the faculty and students presented him with a medal. (Frederick Fennell, age 17, played bass drum in that inaugural performance.) Sousa signed over royalties of the new march, which had not yet been printed, to the camp. A Sousa scholarship was founded, and one of more outstanding music students were brought to Interlochen each year for several seasons. Today the walkway which circumnavigates the principal stage and audience area is known as the John Philip Sousa Walk.

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


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Jason K. Fettig, conductor) - 27 October 2023 (Carmel, Ind.)
  • Interlochen (Mich.) Arts Camp July 4th Staff Band (Steven D. Davis, conductor) - 4 July 2021
  • World Youth Wind Symphony (Interlochen, Mich.) (Steven D. Davis, conductor) – 4 August 2018
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) Wind Orchestra (Elizabeth Peterson, conductor) – 7 March 2017
  • Spring Valley Wind Ensemble (W.V.) - 2013


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. 62-63.
  • Jennifer Martin, personal correspondence, August 2020
  • Sousa, J. (1931). The Northern Pines: March [score]. G. Schirmer: [New York].