Description https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WowMqXR_4M&ab_channel=MaryElizabethBowden The Stars and Stripes Forever – by John Philip Sousa for trumpet ensemble arranged by James M. Stephenson Commissioned in 2014 by Denver Dill Composer’s notes: John Philip Sousa originally composed his “magnum opus” of marches on Christmas day of 1896, upon learning of the death of his friend, David Blakely, who was also manager of the Sousa Band. It was premiered in 1897, and shortly thereafter became, as declared by Congress, the official National March of the United States of America. My arrangement is more of a “transcription”, but allows for extra flourish to be added within the possibilities of a group of advanced trumpet players. Thank you to Denver Dill, who commissioned this version from me in 2014. Jim Stephenson
