"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine"
March by John Philip Sousa
Refer to the caption
Sousa at the Shriners' National Convention, June 7, 1923
FormMarch
Composed1923
DedicationAncient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
Duration3 minutes 30 seconds
Premiere
DateJune 1923
LocationGriffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Audio sample
"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" as performed by the United States Marine Band.
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"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" is a march composed by John Philip Sousa upon the request of his nephew, A. R. Varela. Sousa dedicated the march to the Almas Temple and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. It was first conducted in June 1923, with a band of around 6,200 members—the largest Sousa had ever conducted. It is one of the few Sousa marches with the first strain written in the minor mode. Contemporary versions of the march recorded by the Ottoman military band also use the Jingling Johnny in the final strain.

Background

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor. He served as the director of the United States Marine Band from 1880 to 1892. During his tenure, he was popularly referred to as the "March King".[1] In 1881, Sousa became a Freemason[2]: 36  and on November 18 the same year, he was raised to a third-degree mason.[3]: 65  After leaving the marine band, Sousa started his own band, which he later called "Sousa's Band".[4]: 17  In April 1922, Sousa became a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS). He was soon named their first honorary director.[5][6]: 74 

Composition and analysis

On the request of his nephew, A. R. Varela, Sousa composed a march titled "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine". According to author Paul E. Bierley, "The new march saluted Shriners", but was specifically dedicated to the Almas Temple and the AAONMS.[6]: 74 

"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" is one of the few of Sousa's marches in which the introduction and the first strain is written in the minor mode. The march is approximately 3 minutes 30 seconds long.[3]: 64–66  The introduction begins in a minor key, which drops to mezzo-forte during the first strain. According to the Marine Band, Sousa added triangles to the first strain to "reinforce the mystical theme of the march".[7]: 3  Piccolo, Eb Clarinet, cornets, trumpets, trombones, and cymbals are tacet during most of the second strain. The trio has been referred by the Marine Band as one of Sousa's "most elegant trio melodies".[7]: 3  Bells are first played during the trio. In the break strain, all the instruments are played back with a subito fortissimo (sff). A diminuendo is also added to the percussion instruments. In the final strain, all the instruments are played with a sff. A Jingling Johnny bell tower is also added, which is played, according to the Marine Band, to "bring home the exotic character" of the march.[7]: 3–4 

Refer to the caption
Piccolo introduction and first strain score from the official United States Marine band score.

The structure of the march is:[3]: 73 [7]: 3–4 

Instrumentation

English composer Philip Sparke made few changes to the march, and the instrumentation of his version included:[3]: 65 

Woodwind
1 piccolo
1 flute
1 oboe
1 E-flat clarinet
3 clarinets
1 bass clarinet
1 bassoon
1 alto saxophone
1 tenor saxophone
1 baritone saxophone
Brass
3 trumpets
4 horns
3 trombones
1 euphonium
1 tuba
Percussion
snare drum
bass drum
crash cymbal
tambourine
triangle

Performance

The march was first conducted during the Shriners' National Convention in Washington, D.C., in June 1923. At the Griffith Stadium, Sousa conducted a band of around 6,200 members—the largest he had ever conducted.[8]: 20  Sousa was wearing navy-blue uniform and a red Almas Shrine fez. He conducted the march twice before conducting "The Thunderer".[9]: 45  Various Shriners accompanied Sousa during his tours, and during the later years of Sousa's band, the majority of his members were Shriners.[6]: 74  Contemporary versions of the march by the Ottoman military band also use the Jingling Johnny with the fortissimo.[8]: 20 

References

  1. ↑ Allsen, J. Michael (2000) [1999]. "Sousa, John Philip". American National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1801080. ISBN 978-0-19-860669-7. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ White, John (2009). "Sousa's March of Greatness". The New American. Vol. 25, no. 18. ISSN 0885-6540.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ladd, Adam Richard (2014). "An Examination of Works for Wind Band and Brass Ensemble: Toccata for a Band by Frank Erickson, Mutations from Bach by Samuel Barber, and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine by John Philip Sousa" (PDF). Kansas State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. ↑ Bierley, Paul E. (2006). The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-03147-2. LCCN 2006011277. OL 9859624M. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ "'Nobles of the Mystic Shrine' (1923)". United States Marine Band. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Bierley, Paul E (1984). The Works of John Philip Sousa. Integrity Press. ISBN 978-0-918048-04-2. LCCN 84080665. OL 2876313M. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (score)" (PDF). United States Marine Band. 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Cosenza, Frank (2020). "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine". Circus Fanfare. Vol. 50, no. 5. ISSN 1056-1463.
  9. ↑ Dugan, Patrick W. (2018). "The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Bands". School Band & Orchestra. Vol. 21, no. 9. ProQuest 2125591042.
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