Transit of Venus

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (arr. John R. Bourgeois)


General Info

Year: 1883 / 2013
Duration: c. 3:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Wingert-Jones
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $90.00   |   Score Only (print) - $15.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Originally written in 1883, this work celebrates the actual astronomical event for which it is named. The transit of Venus [generally] happens every 243 years when Venus passes between the sun and the earth. The work was erroneously thought to be lost for over 100 years, until a piano transcription published in 1896 was found in the Library of Congress. This edition received its first performance by the United States Marine Band on June 6, 2012, which is also the date the actual transit of Venus occurred.

- Program Note from publisher


It is not known whether or not Sousa witnessed either of the two transits of Venus that occurred in his lifetime, but the phenomenon was the basis for the title of this march and one of his three novels.

- 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

  • Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Wind Ensemble (Justin R. Stolarik, conductor) - 16 November 2022
  • National Concert Band of America (Washington, D.C.) (Adrian Holton, conductor) - 24 October 2021
  • Butler University (Indianapolis, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Michael J. Colburn, conductor) – 26 April 2018
  • Scottsdale (Ariz.) Concert Band (Michele Kalo, conductor) – 4 March 2018
  • Los Alamos (N.M.) Community Winds (Ted Vives, conductor) – 21 May 2016
  • Penn High School (Mishawaka, Ind.) Orchestra – 2004


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. 74.