Marshall's Civic Band

Composed in 1893. "Following in the footsteps of Patrick Gilmore, Sousa became a 
popular figure at Manhattan Beach, the famous New York summer resort. One of his 
most lavish medals was presented to him in 1894 by the proprietor, Austin 
Corbin, and other shareholders. The previous season, Sousa had dedicated this 
march to Corbin, and one of his manuscripts is inscribed to him. 
    "Sousa once told a reporter that the march had been derived from an earlier 
composition, probably 'The Phoenix March' (1875): 'I wrote 'Manhattan Beach' 
while playing a summer engagement at that once-popular resort, using as the 
basis an old march I had composed whin I was with Milton Nobles.' 
    "'Manhattan Beach' became a staple of bands all over the world, but the 
Sousa Band performed it differently by playing the trio and last sections as a 
short descriptive piece. In this interpretation, soft clarinet arpeggios suggest 
the rolling ocean waves as one strolls along the beach. A band is heard in the 
distance. It grows louder and then fades away as the stroller continues along 
the beach." 
 
The Works of John Philip Sousa 
pg. 69 
Paul E. Bierley 
Integrity Press 
1984