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The Atlantic City Pageant
The Atlantic City Pageant March from The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa: Vol. 6


“The Atlantic City Pageant” (1927)

 

In the late 1920’s it became increasingly difficult for professional concert bands to find employment at amusement parks or expositions, even for a few days. As the engagements at Philadelphia’s Willow Grove Park were coming to an end, the Sousa Band was happy to extend its regular tour by playing at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. They began regular seasons there in 1926, and Sousa penned this almost-forgotten march to celebrate their second annual engagement. The march was reportedly written at the suggestion of Atlantic City’s mayor, Anthony M. Ruffu. Sousa probably had the Miss America Pageant in mind; at that time it was known as the Atlantic City Beauty Pageant.

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 41. Used by permission.

*PLEASE NOTE: Not all marches from Volume 6 are in the public domain and have Marine Band editions. 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.