“University of Nebraska” (1928)

Who actually made the request of Sousa to compose this march is not known, but the request was probably made prior to November, 1927. At that time, Sousa and the three ladies of the Sousa Band were guests at a dinner given by the chancellor of the university, E. A. Burnett. The following day, Burnett wrote Sousa reminding him of an earlier promise to compose a march. Burnett’s letter read, in part:

We have not forgotten your promise to write a march for the University of Nebraska when you are in the mood and feel the impulse to glorify the great rolling prairies where we are trying to build a new appreciation of music and art.

The title was suggested by Sousa and approved by Burnett. Apparently Sousa had at one time considered using “The Cornhuskers” as the title, because several newspapers made reference to it. It was dedicated to the faculty and students of the University of Nebraska.

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 92. 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.