The Semiquincentennial Sousapalooza
Did you ever play in a school band? Is your clarinet gathering dust in your closet? Whether you last played 20 minutes ago or 20 years ago, you are invited to join friends and strangers in Sousapalooza!
Since its start in Chicago in 2011, Sousapalooza has highlighted Make Music Day celebrations around the country. Each June 21, hundreds of wind band players – from rusty amateurs to accomplished orchestral musicians – have gathered in parks and plazas, from Anchorage to Atlanta, to sightread the quintessentially American music of The March King, John Philip Sousa.
This year, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, Sousapaloozas will be organized from coast to coast on June 21. All players are welcome – no tickets, no rehearsal, just fun!
This year’s Sousapalooza is made possible with generous support from the Levitt Family Foundation.
Sample Sousapalooza Repertoire (click to download):
2026 Sousapalooza Locations: Sunday, June 21
Albemarle, NC
conducted by Carmella Hedrick
Market Station
501 West Main St
Time: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
How to Join: Wind band musicians of all experience levels are welcome. Bring your instrument and a music stand — chairs and music will be provided. To receive the music ahead of time, contact stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com.
Anchorage, AK
led by Alaska Music and Sound
Anchorage Museum
625 C Street
Time: 1pm – 3pm
How to Join: View the repertoire and register here: https://shorturl.at/V1I0C. Please bring your instrument, printed music, a folding chair, and a portable music stand. Warm-up begins at 1:30pm, and participants are encouraged to wear patriotic red, white, and blue attire.
Ann Arbor, MI
conducted by Jason Fettig
Ann Arbor Summer Festival @ Top of the Park
Ingalls Mall, 881 N University Ave
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
How to Join: Wind band musicians of almost any experience level are invited to participate. Bring your instrument (percussion provided), printed music, and a folding music stand. Register here: Sousapalooza Musician Registration Form
Atlanta, GA
conducted by Robert Coulter
Union Hall
551 Dutch Valley Rd.
Time: 1pm – 3pm
How to Join: Musicians of all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate. Please bring your instrument and a music stand. A free BBQ will be provided for all musicians and attendees. For more information, email Aaron at office@atlantamusicians.com.
Cheshire, CT
conducted by John Kuhner
Ball and Socket Arts
493 West Main Street, in front of Building 5
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
How to Join: View the repertoire and register here: Ball & Socket Arts Sousapalooza Registration. Please bring your wind instrument, chair, and music stand. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Chicago, IL
led by Lakeside Pride Band
Ping Tom Park
1700 S. Wentworth Ave, under the bridge, next to the playground
Time: 11am – 12pm
How to Join: Register here! Chairs will be provided; bring your own music stand and sheet music. Repertoire is listed here, and full details are here.
Dyersburg, TN
conducted by Dr. Nicholas Andrade
Dyer County Performance Center
1220 Community Park Rd
Time: Registration and rehearsal at 3pm, concert at 5:30pm
How to Join: Participants should bring their own music stand. Folding chairs may be available. Sheet music will be provided online and in print, and backup printed parts will also be available if needed. Register here:
https://forms.office.com/r/XFbKcfSWzB?origin=lprLink
Grand Rapids, MI
conducted by Tiffany Engle
Fuller Avenue Church
1239 Fuller Ave. SE
Time: Participant call time at 3:30pm, concert at 4:00pm
How to Join: Participants should bring their instrument, a music stand, and printed music (with clips to secure pages). Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOPlm3c4fEGO2pDrQBMD5CZvZO0X3AMGyvz0aK89yx-cFNbQ/viewform. Walk-ups are also welcome.
Huntsville, AL
led by Huntsville Concert Band
Sandra Moon Performing Arts Center Band Room
7901 Bailey Cove Road
Time: 4pm – 5pm
How to Join: For information about where to park and what to bring, please visit huntsvilleband.org/sousapalooza
Longview, TX
conducted by Kenny Goodson
East Texas Symphonic Band
Heritage Plaza
219 E. Methvin Street
Time: 7pm – 8pm
How to Join: Bring a chair, a music stand, and printed music. Please plan to arrive at 6:00 PM for set up and warm up. For more information, contact Tony at tnaseiro@gmail.com.
Milwaukee, WI
conducted by Karen Lippert
Wisconsin Lutheran High School Auditorium
330 N. Glenview Avenue
Time: 2:30pm – 4pm
How to Join: Register using the Google Form. Please bring your instrument, pre-printed sheet music, and a music stand. Participants are encouraged to practice their parts in advance, as there will be no rehearsals prior to the performance. Casual or red, white, and blue attire is encouraged.
New York, NY
conducted by Oscar Wiley Thorp
The Hugh Plaza
601 Lexington Ave and E 53rd St
Time: 11am – 12:30pm
How to Join: Bring downloaded and printed sheet music, a music stand, and clips for the wind. Water, hats, and sunscreen are suggested.
To participate, fill out the following form: https://shorturl.at/Sl94g
Sheet music is available here: https://shorturl.at/Ptw1T
Platteville, WI
conducted by Aisha Durst
City Park
N. Bonson & Market St.
Time: 7pm – 8pm
How to Join: Bring your instrument! Music will be provided. For more information email Nancy at nfairchild2@gmail.com.
Shenandoah Junction, WV
conducted by Tanner Petri
The AMP at Sam Michaels Park
Home to Levitt AMP Shenandoah Junction Music Series
Time: 1pm – 2pm
How to Join: Register here!
On the day of the event, please bring your own chair and music stand. (Some chairs will be provided if needed.) Wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen. Water will be provided for all participants. Sheet music will be available digitally after you sign up. Limited copies will also be available the day of the event. If you have questions, please reach out to Becki Zaglifa at bzaglifa@jcprc.org.
Invite your friends and family to participate or come listen to the performance!
St. Johnsbury, VT
conducted by Kirsten Harter
Levitt AMP St Johnsbury Music Series
at Catamount Arts, 115 Eastern Ave (back parking lot)
Time: 2pm – 2:45pm
How to Join: Please bring your instrument and a stand. Music will be provided. An inside venue is available in the event of rain. For more information contact Andrea Otto, Catamount Arts, aotto@catamountarts.org, or Dave Hare, manager@stjohnsburyband.org
Troy, NY
conducted by John Fatuzzo
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
32 Second Street
Time: 3pm – 4pm
The repertoire includes:
The Stars and Stripes Forever
The Washington Post March
Semper Fidelis
Liberty Bell March
Hands Across the Sea
How to Join: Bring your instrument, a music stand if available, water, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Sheet music will be available digitally after you sign up. To participate, fill out the following form: https://shorturl.at/VsWQL
Tyler, TX
conducted by Dr. Sarah Roberts
UT Tyler
Bergfeld Park Amphitheater
1510 S. College Avenue
Time: 7pm – 8pm
How to Join: Bring a chair, a music stand, downloaded and printed music (see above), clips for your music, light if you need it, and of course your instrument. For more info email Stephanie Johnson at sjoh2music@gmail.com.
Sousapalooza: Gallery
