UGA Wind Ensemble: George Washington Bicentennial March by John Philip Sousa

George Washington Bicentennial March (1932) (3’50’’)
Composer: John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)
Ensemble: University of Georgia's Wind Ensemble
Conductor: Dr. Nicholas Enrico Williams
Performance Date: January 31st, 2025

Program Note:

In 1930, a national commission was established in Washington, D.C., to organize the bicentennial celebration of George Washington’s birth. Among the first to be called upon was John Philip Sousa, whose unmatched legacy in American patriotic music made him the natural choice to mark such an occasion. The result was the George Washington Bicentennial March, completed in June 1930 and later performed in a special preview by the United States Marine Band under Sousa’s baton in front of the White House.

The march stands as one of Sousa’s final completed works and is a fitting tribute both to the Father of the Nation and to Sousa’s own enduring contributions to American music. With its stately themes and bold structure, the piece captures the grandeur, dignity, and forward-looking spirit of Washington himself.

About the Composer:

Known as “The March King,” John Philip Sousa was a towering figure in American music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His masterful marches—The Stars and Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis, and The Washington Post March, among others—remain defining symbols of national pride and ceremonial splendor. Beyond his celebrated compositions, Sousa was a prolific conductor, educator, and champion of the American concert band. Through his leadership of the Sousa Band, he expanded the reach and artistry of wind ensembles across the globe, laying the foundation for the symphonic band tradition in the United States.

In this final period of his life, Sousa continued to compose and tour tirelessly, leaving a legacy that resonates to this day. The George Washington Bicentennial March reflects the culmination of his life's work: music of purpose, pageantry, and profound national identity.