In this playing edition of Sousa's great marches, Lester S. Levy has included 23 favorites that have continued to enjoy universal appeal to this day. Here are the great standards that are everyone's favorites" "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (both piano transcription and song publication), "The Gladiator," "Semper Fidelis," "The Thunderer," "The Washington Post," "The High School Cadets," "El Capitan," "King Cotton," "The Manhattan Beach March," and "The Liberty Bell." Here are the favorites that brass band musicians will remember: "The March Past of the Corcoran Cadets," "The Free Lance," "The Invincible Eagle," "The March Past of the National Fencibles," "The March Past of the Rifle Regiment," and "Jack Tar." Sousa fans will find some of their own favorites — "The Diplomat," "Hail to the Spirit of Liberty," "Hands Across the Sea," "Imperial Edward" — and the editor has included three of his personal favorites — "The Picador March," "The Beau Ideal March," and "The Bride-Effect."
All these favorites are presented in reproduction of the original sheet music, along with reproductions of the original sheet music covers. Lester S. Levy selected the music for reproduction from his own collection of sheet music, and he has also contributed an appreciative introduction. Whether you are a Sousa fan, an enthusiast of marching music, or are simply looking for something stirring to play on your piano, you will find what you are looking for in this great collection.