More Sousa in September

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

VLOC's production of Sousa's The Charlatan opens in just over a week!  This rarely performed work with it's wacky plot and fabulous musical score is not to be missed.  You can also find out more about this hometown composer at the free pre-show lecture on Saturday, September 6th by renowned Sousa scholar, Dr. Patrick Warfield. Call the box office at 240-314-8690 to reserve your tickets!

That's not your only chance to learn about Sousa and his diverse musical background, though.  If you're still looking to find out more after seeing The Charlatan, then you have a great opportunity to learn more about a major part of Sousa's life - the U.S. Marine Band.  Sousa enlisted and served as an apprentice violinist with the band at the ripe old age of 14, and he came back in 1880 as (ironically) the 14th leader of the band. Over the next 12 years, Sousa managed to completely overhaul the band to the point of near-celebrity status.  

The Capitol Hill History Project is presenting a lecture on the history of the U.S. Marine Band on Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30 pm.  So if you're interested in finding out more about the musical group that Sousa brought to international fame, check out the lecture - it's free!  Reservations are required, though.  More information on the lecture can be found here.  

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