Valparaiso University Welcomes John Philip Sousa IV for 16th Annual Sousa Tribute Concert

Performance Held May 3 in Chapel of the Resurrection

 Valparaiso University presents the 16th annual Sousa Tribute Concert, in honor of the legendary composer John Philip Sousa, in the Chapel of the Resurrection on Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m.

The concert features guest narrator John Philip Sousa IV, great-grandson and last living namesake of Sousa, who will provide historical commentary during the performance.

“We have focused on John Philip Sousa each year because he was an exemplary musician and educator and because of his ties to Valparaiso,” said Jeffrey Doebler ’87 M.M., conductor and professor of music. “He was a pioneer in musical performance, composition and music education.”

The event commemorates the 100th anniversary of Sousa’s fourth and final performance in the City of Valparaiso at the historic, downtown Memorial Opera House. The lineup includes the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band, Luce Concert Band and the Community/University Concert Band, in addition to the Valparaiso High School Concert Band.

Doebler said the musicians will seek to emulate the brisk pace of Sousa’s concerts.

“One of the goals for the Sousa concert is to give our students and audience an authentic sense of these performances,” Doebler said. “Every piece of this year’s program was played by the Sousa band on their 1914 tour, so this music is likely to have been played in Valparaiso that year.”

For tickets and additional information, visit valpo.edu/music or call 219.464.5162.