Musically speaking, Frank Meecham's "American Patrol" is designed to simulate the sound of a parading marching band, playing softly at first as the band approaches, then at full volume during the main theme, then fades away into the distance at the end. The score incorporates musical phrases from "Dixie", "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean" and "Yankee Doodle." During the acoustic era (before 1925), drums were seldom heard, since they did not reproduce very well on recorded discs. It's likely that Sousa's Band was directed by Arthur Pryor or Herbert C. Clarke on this 1909 recording, since the March King was reluctant to be involved in the recording industry at the time.
Musically speaking, Frank Meecham's "American Patrol" is designed to simulate the sound of a parading marching band, playing softly at first as the band approaches, then at full volume during the main theme, then fades away into the distance at the end. The score incorporates musical phrases from "Dixie", "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean" and "Yankee Doodle." During the acoustic era (before 1925), drums were seldom heard, since they did not reproduce very well on recorded discs. It's likely that Sousa's Band was directed by Arthur Pryor or Herbert C. Clarke on this 1909 recording, since the March King was reluctant to be involved in the recording industry at the time.
I never noticed that. Especially about the fades. Thanks for sharing it!
He plays "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" and "Dixie", too, on this recording.
:D