The multi-media touring production, featuring a 22-member concert band of Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra members and eight singing actors, appears center stage at the Rabobank Theater one time only for the BCCA .
Universally known as the "March King," Sousa wrote more than 135 marches as an independent composer and while leading the White House's U.S. Marine Band (1880-1892) under four different presidencies. His patriotic magnum opus, "The Stars and Stripes Forever," was named by an Act of Congress in 1987 as the "National March of the United States," forever sealing his acclaim among new generations of band performers and band audiences everywhere.
During his lifetime, Sousa was a big international star who, at the peak of his career, drew concert audiences of more than 150,000 in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, he is credited with introducing ragtime music to Europe and with becoming the first millionaire musician in the U.S. He died in 1932, reportedly with baton in hand.
In all, Sousa wrote, by fiat or by commission, 16 operettas, 28 fantasies, 24 dances, five overtures and 70 novelty songs, besides penning seven books and 138 articles. He also co-founded ASCAP (American Society of Composers,Authors & Publishers) and was the sole composer of all the numbers in the first Columbia catalogue.
New members of the Bakersfield Community Concert Association will enjoy eight concerts for only $60. Call 326-0838 for more information or visit online at: www.geocities.com/communityconcert/. Season student discounts are also available.
