THE BLACK HORSE TROOP | Written in 1924, “The Black Horse Troop” is one of John Philip Sousa’s most unique marches. Sousa composed the work specifically for Troop A of the Cleveland National Guard, a special independent militia group that exclusively used black horses. Ever the musical mastermind, Sousa wove equestrian themes throughout the work to honor Troop A. First, the march is written in 6/8 time to emulate a horse’s rolling canter gait. Additionally, Sousa instructs the percussionists to

#JustReleased John Philip Sousa's Nobles of the Mystic Shrine John Philip Sousa, like many prominent musicians throughout history, was a member of a Masonic Lodge. He became a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Washington, D.C., in April 1922, and was promptly named the first honorary director of the Almas Temple Shrine Band. His nephew, A. R. Varela sponsored him, and asked him to compose this march. The new march saluted Shriners in general but was dedicated s