The Thunderer

In 1889 John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was thirty-five years old and had already been director of the renowned Washington-based ‘Marine Band’ for nine years. On the basis of his activities with this wind orchestra he had become known and as a distinguished conductor and outstanding composer. Three years earlier, Sousa had been “knighted” into the ‘Knights Templar’, and he therefore dedicated the march “The Thunderer” to this Masonic organization in 1889. Sousa researchers including Paul E. Bierley assume that “The Thunderer” was a specific mason, whose identity could never be revealed. In the second section of “The Thunderer” the composer uses a tune which he published under “Here’s Your Health, Sir!” in the collection “Trumpet and Drum” in 1886. “The Thunderer” is another proof that John Philip Sousa was no businessman, as he sold his wife’s favorite march for the incredible amount of only $ 35.