“The Allentown Band has held an annual concert of music composed by John Philip Sousa starting in 1926 under the baton of Conductor Albertus L. Meyers, former cornet soloist with the Sousa Band,” says Allentown Band Conductor Ronald Demkee.

The Allentown Band presents its “Annual Sousa Concert,” 7:30 p.m. June 28, West Park, Allentown.

“Over the years, Sousa recruited no fewer than 20 Allentown Band members to play with his famous professional band,” Demkee continues.

“These players brought back performance practices including articulations, dynamics, phrasing and stylistic practices of the Sousa Band, which are not notated in the published parts, but which we [the Allentown Band] use to this day,” explains Demkee.

The June 28 concert opens with a short fanfare as prelude to “The Star Spangled Banner” followed by John Philip Sousa’s “The Black Horse Troop” (1925).

The march, reflective of Sousa’s love of horses, was dedicated to the mounted troops of a Cleveland [Ohio] National Guard unit which utilized only black horses. The march debuted during the unit’s 48th anniversary.

Franz von Suppe’s “Light Calvary Overture” (1866) follows, reflecting the age-old practice of troops bearing lightweight weapons and riding relatively small but very fast galloping horses. As the piece unfolds, from opening fanfare to lilting aria and chivalrous finale, one can envision the prancing of steadfast steeds throughout.

In 1923, Sousa received an honorary Doctor of Music from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc., the first such honor given by the university. In appreciation, Sousa composed the “Marquette University March” and presented the piano manuscript to the university.

The next two selections feature Allentown Band xylophonist Craig Mandelbaum, intern, Rapp-Wells Mallet Percussion Research Center, Kutztown University.

“Triplets Rag” by George Hamilton Green and “Xylophonia” by Joe Green show the musicianship of these brothers in their compositions. Older brother Joe Green was a member of Sousa’s band.

The program continues with “La Reine de la Mer Waltzes” (“Queen of the Sea”), composed by Sousa in 1886 and which he dedicated to Mrs. W.C. Whitney, wife of William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy (1885-1889).

A prolific composer, Sousa wrote 137 marches, 15 operettas, five overtures, 11 suites, 28 fantasies, 322 arrangements of 19th century Wester European symphonic works and 24 dances.

The Allentown Band performs two of his dances: the 1924 fox trot, “Peaches and Cream,” and the 912 tango, “The Gliding Girl.”

In 1888, Sousa composed “The Washington Post March” for the newspaper’s essay contest awards ceremony and as a campaign to promote the newspaper under new ownership.

Sousa’s suites tell stories in music. “People Who Live in Glass Houses” dates from 1909 shortly before Sousa’s first world tour with the Sousa Band. Comprising four movements, he gives a nod to each country and their prominent beverage: I. ‘The Champagnes”; II. “The Rhine Wines”; III. “The Whiskies-Scotch, Irish, Bourbon and Rye,” and IV. “Convention of the Cordials.”

The concert closes with the Allentown Band’s traditional concert finale, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (1896).

Says Conductor Demkee, “Sousa’s programming, though more than a century old, still works to this day: fast-paced and lots of variety. There’s something for everyone.”

“Annual Sousa Concert,” Allentown Band, 7:30 p.m. June 28, West Park, 16th and Linden streets, Allentown. Inclement weather location: Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St., Allentown; Tickets not required. Information: https://allentownband.com

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com