PUBLISHED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE APRIL 30, 2015
On May 2, Valparaiso University will be hosting its 17th annual John Philip Sousa Tribute Concert at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Jeffrey Scott Doebler, Professor of Music at Valparaiso University and conductor for the performance, is very excited to be working with this show and the history that Sousa’s band has in Valparaiso. “We started doing this 17 years ago and found that Sousa’s band played in Valparaiso four different times,” said Doebler.
John Phillip Sousa was an American composer and conductor known for his military and patriotic marches. Sousa, who served in the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Navy is known as the “The American March King,” Sousa’s hits include “Semper Fidelis,” the official song of the United States Marine Corps, and “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” the National March of the United States of America.
The annual Sousa tribute concert has become a staple at Valparaiso University, as well as in the community of northwest Indiana. Doebler, when talking about music in the community, mentioned that for the annual Sousa tribute this year that, “Everyone will find music that they will enjoy.”
Not all of the music will necessarily be Sousa’s hits, Doebler said that the music will be, “in the style that Mr. Sousa would have done it, with only eight seconds in between songs”
The organization of the annual Sousa tribute will also have its variations as well. “Our program will have college band play the first half of the show with newer stuff, but still featuring music in the style of Sousa,” Doebler continued, “the second half will be non-stop and featuring two college bands and a high school band.”
Tickets to the concert are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and non-Valparaiso University students, and for Valparaiso University students, staff, and faculty, the show is free. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.valpo.edu/vuca.
Beth Casey in a freelance writer.
Annual Sousa Tribute Concert
When: 1 p.m. May 2
Where: Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Dr., Valparaiso
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 senior citizens and non-Valpo U students, free to Valpo students, staff and faculty
Information: 219-464-5093
beth casey writes 