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Encore Books
The Sousa encore books contain 91 tunes and 30 complete band arrangements (marches), concert programs, and sheet music. The most valuable part of the collection: the original manuscript of “The Liberty Bell.” Until May 2016, the fragile encore books have only been available to researchers and scholars able to visit the Marine Band Library. In an effort to make these materials more accessible and to help preserve the content, the librarians had the books digitized to make them available online to

It was tradition in the Sousa Band to play two or more encores after each program selection, meaning that a program with 10 pieces on it could expand into 25. These encores were announced to audiences by placing a large card on an easel at the front of the stage. The encores contrasted with the preceding piece and could be popular songs or short classics, but most often they were Sousa’s marches. The music was pasted into ledger-sized books. Older members of the band played from memory, while new members relied on the encore books.

The Sousa Band library was likely the largest privately owned collection of its time, and when not used for touring, it was stored in warehouses in New York City. It is believed that this collection ultimately ended up in five segments. These 44 encore books
 were donated to the Marine Band by Charles Walker Hyde in 1967.
Until May 2016, the fragile encore books have only been available to researchers and scholars able to visit the Marine Band Library. In an effort to make these materials more accessible and to help preserve the content, the Marine Band Library had the books digitized. To read more about the history of this collection, click here.

Please note, files are large. For best results, download the files to your computer (right click, save as) instead of previewing online. 


                    Harp
Flute 1
Flute 2
Piccolo
1st Oboes
2nd Oboes
Clarinet 1 Stand 1
Clarinet 1 Stand 2
Clarinet 1 Stand 3
Clarinet 1 Stand 4
Clarinet 1 Stand 5
Clarinet 1 Stand 6
Clarinet 2 Stand 1
Clarinet 2 Stand 2
Clarinet 3 Stand 1
Clarinet 3 Stand 2
Clarinet 3 Stand 3
Alto Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoons 1
Bassoons 2
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2

Tenor Saxophone 1
Tenor Saxophone 2
Baritone Saxophone
Solo Cornet 1
Solo Cornet 2
1st Cornet
2nd and 3rd Cornets (Trumpets)
1st and 2nd Horn
3rd and 4th Horn
Baritone 1
Baritone 2
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
3rd Trombone
Tuba 1
Tuba 2
Tuba 3
Snare Drum
Bass Drum
Bass Drum (found in Tuba book)
Timpani