"The Free Lance" (March) - John Philip Sousa

[RickF]

We got this great march in our folder about three weeks ago. The version we started with was arranged by William Revelli. After a few weeks we switched to the Sousa's original 1905 version. You know, there are some things you just can't improve on. Great march originally from Sousa's operetta of the same name. Has a lengthy and unorthodox construction starting in 6/8 then going into 2/4. The Revelli version changed the 32nd notes in the first strain to 16th notes which actually made fingering more difficult. It also repeated the second strain.

If interested you can check out the score and listen to the track on the Marine Band's page below.

"The Free Lance March"

[RickF]

I just got a link to a video of our band playing this great Sousa march at last month's concert. Due to COVID concerns, the number in the band is down to about 50 members right now. We could have done better with dynamics but I think the piccolos did a great job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA6aQNvVGn0

[John Morgan]

Nice job with the march, Rick!! I enjoyed it.