Marshall's Civic Band

Set of folders with music glued inside to form pages. 
 
Composed in 1889. "Other than the fact that Sousa's 'thunderer' was undoubtedly 
a Mason, his identity may never be revealed. 'The Thunderer' march was dedicated 
to Columbia Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, of Washington, D.C., and it was 
composed on the occasion of the Twenty-fourth Triennial Conclave of the Grand 
Encampment. The conclave was held in October, 1889, and was sponsored by 
Columbia Commandery No. 2. Sousa had been 'knighted' in that organization three 
years earlier. 
    "'The Thunderer' was Mrs. John Philip Sousa's favorite march. This was 
revealed by their daughter Helen, who also surmised that the 'thunderer' might 
have been her father's salute to the 'London Times,' which was known as 'the 
thunderer'. It has since been determined that Sousa probably had no association 
with the newspaper at that time, however. The 'thunderer' might have been one of 
the men in charge of making arrangements for the 1889 conclave - in particular, 
Myron M. Parker, who worked tirelessly to make the event the spectacular success 
that it was. 
    "In the second section of the march, Sousa included an adaptation of an 
earlier trumpet and drum piece, 'Here's Your Health, Sir!' which he had written 
for 'The Trumpet and Drum' (1886)." 
 
The Works of John Philip Sousa 
pgs. 89-90 
Paul E. Bierley 
Integrity Press 
1984