BROOKINGS — As we celebrate this week’s anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many will gather across the country to enjoy family, parades, cookouts, and music. 

Many will hear military and community bands perform John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” which in 1987 was designated as the official march of the United States.  

Sousa began his musical career in the late 1800s as the conductor of the U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C.  After leaving the Marine Band, he formed The Sousa Band, a group of approximately 50 musicians that crisscrossed the country performing over 15,000 concerts in 35 years.      

Sousa’s band performed in the College Armory in Brookings in 1928.  His performance was one of three in South Dakota which included Spafford Gym in Aberdeen and the Coliseum in Sioux Falls. It was all a part of a 20-week excursion titled his “Golden Jubilee Tour” that celebrated Sousa’s 50th year as a professional conductor. He was 74 years old when the tour began.  The band averaged no fewer than 14 concerts a week, over 200 total.      

According to reports in the SDSC Industrial Collegian, Sousa traveled by train and was met downtown by scores of onlookers as well as the SDSC band. SDSC Bandmaster Carl Christensen honored Sousa in a performance of Sousa’s own "Washington Post March" while standing in front of the Hotel Dudley.  

Sousa was also a guest of honor during a special evening dinner with the local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.  

Three aspiring SDSC student reporters were able find their way to Sousa’s hotel room and were able to get a few quotes for their weekly publication.  The reporters “stood in awe as his valet lit Sousa’s big cigar.”  

Sousa’s quote for the Collegian rings true today as it did nearly 100 years ago.  “Considering the marvelous great strides which America has made and is now making in the world of music, it is inevitable that the future great musicians of the world come from American colleges and schools.”  

The Brookings performances attracted two packed houses. The concerts included famous soloists, transcriptions, and many of his most famous marches presented as encores. Tickets were 50 cents each, and a keepsake program was available for an extra dime.     

The late Ken Ivers shared a copy of Sousa’s program with me a few years ago. Ken had been an assistant to David Doner, long-time registrar of the SDSC who had attended the concert and gave his copy to Ken. 

It is a beautiful memento of the time when Brookings welcomed John Philip Sousa to town.