An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Harmonica Wizard
Harmonica Wizard March from The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa: Vol. 7

 

 

 

 

“Harmonica Wizard” (1930)

Leading a harmonica band was a novel experience for Sousa when he was invited to conduct Albert N. Hoxie’s fifty-two-member Philadelphia Harmonica Band in September, 1925. He was so impressed with their playing and the possibilities of the harmonica that he carried an endorsement for Hohner harmonicas in his 1928 programs and subsequently wrote this march for Hoxie’s boys.

When the Sousa Band came to Philadelphia on November 21, 1930, the mayor proclaimed the day Sousa Day. Among other events was Sousa’s leading the University of Pennsylvania Band, but the climax of the day was when Hoxie’s boys came to the stage during the Sousa Band concert and performed the new march Sousa had written for them. A special commemorative medal, with the emblem of the Philadelphia Harmonica Band on one side and a tribute to Sousa on the other, was presented to the “March King” at the close of the concert.

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 61. Used by permission.

*PLEASE NOTE: Currently, none of the marches from Volume 7 are in the public domain. Recordings of non-PD marches are only available for streaming on YouTube. To purchase a published edition of this march, please visit the sheet music vendor of your choice.