John Philip Sousa writes 'High School Cadets' march

Background. John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C., and was a native of the District. In 1888 he composed The March Past of the National Fencibles, honoring a renowned militia drill team affiliated with the National Guard of the District of Columbia. In 1890, the rival drill team of Washington High School (subsequently Washington Central) asked Sousa to compose a march for them, and he obliged with The High School Cadets March, now generally known simply as High School Cadets.

Composition and Style. The march follows the regimental form I-AA-BB-CC-DD. It features unusual instrumentation for the time, including alto and bass clarinets, saxophones, and both euphonium and baritone horn parts. The use of tympani and orchestral bells suggests Sousa conceived the piece for concert band as well as marching band, marking a shift in his scoring ideas.

Publication and Reception. The march was published in 1890 by Philadelphia music publisher Harry Coleman in arrangements for band, piano solo, and several other small instrumental ensembles. High School Cadets quickly became one of Sousa's most popular marches. Just four years after its composition (c. 1894), the Nebraska State Journal listed it among the composer's most notable marches. The march has been frequently recorded, including at least two recorded performances by Sousa's own band and a 1985 Boston Pops recording under Arthur Fiedler.