Fact Sheet - On the Band 

When John Philip Sousa played his final concert with The United States Marine Band in the late 1890s, one newspaper reporter commented that “the skies opened up and cried as our little band director played his final concert on the White House lawn for a huge crowd of well-wishers.  Their umbrellas sprung up like black mushrooms as the rain continued and the band played.”   They certainly don't write like that anymore, do they?

Sousa took a huge chance leaving the security of his military commission and directorship of the United States Marine Band.  Yet, David Blakely, manager for such great ensembles as the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, (Patrick) Gilmore Band, and others, encouraged Sousa that he would become a wealthy man.  Blakely was right, but it took at least one name change (from The New Marine Band, which the U.S. Congress didn't appreciate), to the final and more lasting name of simply, The Sousa Band, to get the entire process in motion.

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Mr. Sousa's starting his first professional band in 1892, Marcus L. Neiman decided to organize a professional level concert band in Northeastern Ohio capable of performing throughout the state and nation.  His goal, simply stated, was to produce a band capable of bringing the sights and sounds of John Philip Sousa to a new generation of listeners.

Thus was born Marcus Neiman & The Sounds of Sousa Band.  The ensemble, called the great band from Ohio's Western Reserve, is the only professional touring concert band in Northeastern Ohio.  Encouraged by life-long friends Mike Hadgis and Richard Keel, then both officers of the Akron (Ohio) American Federation of Musicians Local 24.  With the help of his wife, Mary Ann, the two began recruiting members for the ensemble.  The criteria was simplistic:  (1) the finest wind and percussion players in the area; (2) a dedication to reproducing the music of the Sousa era; and, (3) the ability to be a team player and work for the general good of the band.  In 2009, due in part to the changing economic times, the ensemble moved from an all-union ensemble to a non-union ensemble.  The ensemble is currently in a reorganization process.

Concertizing in the Cincinnati area encouraged the Neiman's to use the same formula “down south” to recruit another roster of superior players.  To date, the entire Sousa Band roster boasts a membership of well over 125 musicians from across the state of Ohio.  The majority of the members of the ensemble are professional musicians, orchestra players, school instrumental music directors, or studio musicians.  Almost all are capable of, or have performed as a soloist with Sounds of Sousa.

“Our goal has been, and will continue to be to entertain our audience,” Neiman commented.  We have expanded our operation from simply playing summer venue concerts to a full year season of engagements, educational concerts, as well as guest appearances.  The band has performed in 33 of the 88 counties in Ohio, and in Indiana, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, (state of) Washington, and Wisconsin.  The ensemble has performed over 250 engagements for an estimated audience of almost a quarter-million people.

For additional information on Marcus Neiman & The Sounds of Sousa Band, visit our website: http://www.soundsofsousa.com.