Semper Fidelis (march)

Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis
March by John Philip Sousa
English	Always faithful
Year	1888
Dedication	Officers and men of the United States Marine Corps

"Semper Fidelis", written in 1888 by John Philip Sousa, is regarded as the official march of the United States Marine Corps. This piece was one of two composed in response to a request from United States President Chester A. Arthur for a new piece to be associated with the United States President. The words semper fidelis are Latin for "always faithful." The piece was created for a wind band in addition to a percussion section. There is a very prominent drum solo in the middle of the piece which includes a skillful dynamic change. It features staccato notes and sharp tonguing.

History

There does not exist an original general order documenting the proclamation of "Semper Fidelis" as the official march of the Marines. According to accounts summarized in the CD liner notes,^[1] Sousa is regarded by historians as honest and on many occasions noted that the march was named the official march of the Marine Corps. However, a flood destroyed many Marine Corps records, even those documenting Sousa's rank as leader of the United States Marine Corps Band; an order designating it as an official march could have been lost.^[1] The United States Marine Corps website refers to the song as "the Official March of the Marine Corps".^[2]

Sousa began as the musical conductor of the United States Marine Corps Band, known as "The President's Own", in 1880 and led the Band for five presidential administrations.^[2] President Arthur felt that "Hail to the Chief" was undignified and requested a new presidential composition. Sousa began performing "Presidential Polonaise" (1886) and later "Semper Fidelis", although Arthur predeceased the latter. Neither displaced "Hail to the Chief" as the song most closely associated with the United States President.^[3]^[4]

In an October 1927 interview published in the Independent (Nebraska), Sousa claimed "I wrote 'Semper Fidelis' one night while in tears after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous Hymn at Quantico (which is now home to Marine Corps Base Quantico)." However, no Marines were stationed at Quantico until May 14, 1917 and he wrote the song in 1888. This could be explained by a misquote or by Marine maneuvers or exercises at Quantico.^[1]

Instrumentation

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Bierley, Paul (1989). "Semper Fidelis: Music of John Philip Sousa (CD booklet)" (PDF). Retrieved April 16, 2011.
^ ^a ^b "1880: John Philip Sousa". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
^ "Frequently Asked Questions". John Philip Sousa official website. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
^ "John Philip Sousa". whitehousehistory.org. Retrieved April 16, 2011.

External links

Media related to Semper Fidelis (march) at Wikimedia Commons

[SFMoJPS-1] Bierley, Paul (1989). "Semper Fidelis: Music of John Philip Sousa (CD booklet)" (PDF). Retrieved April 16, 2011.

[1880JPS-2] "1880: John Philip Sousa". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved April 16, 2011.

[3] "Frequently Asked Questions". John Philip Sousa official website. Retrieved April 16, 2011.

[4] "John Philip Sousa". whitehousehistory.org. Retrieved April 16, 2011.

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v t e John Philip Sousa
List of compositions List of marches List of operettas
Marches	"Anchor and Star" "The Black Horse Troop" "Boy Scouts of America" "Columbia's Pride" "The Dauntless Battalion" "The Fairest of the Fair" "The Gallant Seventh" "The Gladiator March" "Hands Across the Sea" "The High School Cadets" "Imperial Edward" "The Invincible Eagle" "Kansas Wildcats" "King Cotton" "The Liberty Bell" "Manhattan Beach" "The Minnesota March" "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" "The Royal Welch Fusiliers" "Semper Fidelis" "The Stars and Stripes Forever" "The Thunderer" "Transit of Venus March" "U.S. Field Artillery March" "The Washington Post"
Operettas	Chris and the Wonderful Lamp Désirée El Capitan The Charlatan
Adaptations	"The Army Goes Rolling Along" Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes Forever
Other	John Philip Sousa House John Philip Sousa Baton
Honoraria	Armed Forces March Competition John Philip Sousa Bridge John Philip Sousa Foundation John Philip Sousa Junior High School (Bronx) John Philip Sousa Junior High School
Category

v t e National symbols of the United States
Symbols	Flag Great Seal Bald eagle Uncle Sam Columbia Phrygian cap General Grant (tree) American Creed Pledge of Allegiance Rose Oak Bison
Landmarks	Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) Liberty Bell Mount Rushmore National Mall West Potomac Park
Mottos	In God We Trust E pluribus unum Novus ordo seclorum Annuit cœptis
Songs	"The Star-Spangled Banner" "Dixie" "America the Beautiful" "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" "The Stars and Stripes Forever" "Hail to the Chief" "Hail, Columbia" "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)" "God Bless America" "Lift Every Voice and Sing" "The Army Goes Rolling Along" "Anchors Aweigh" "Marines' Hymn" "Semper Fidelis" "The Air Force Song" "Semper Paratus" "Semper Supra" "National Emblem March" "The Washington Post March" "Battle Hymn of the Republic" "Yankee Doodle" "You're a Grand Old Flag" "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" "This Land Is Your Land" "Battle Cry of Freedom"

Authority control databases
International	VIAF 2
National	Germany United States France BnF data Spain Israel
Other	MusicBrainz work

History

Instrumentation

See also

Notes

External links