Pictures and stories of several of the most famous soloists with Sousa's band.

Herbert L. Clarke, cornet.

Herbert L. Clarke joined Sousa's Band after the death of Patrick Gilmore. By that time he had already earned his reputation as the foremost cornet soloist in the country. In addition to performing, he also wrote many of his own solos, including Bride of the Waves, which is still popular today.

Arthur Pryor, trombone & assistant conductor.

Arthur Pryor conducted most of the Sousa Band's recording sessions. His most famous solo was his variations on The Blue Bells of Scotland. He left the Sousa Band after several years to form his own band, which was also very successful. Pryor's Band had more ragtime influence than Sousa.

R. Meredith Willson, flute/piccolo.

After spending three years touring with Sousa, Meredith Wilson went on to write one of the most famous Broadway musicals of all time, The Music Man. The musical, later made into a movie starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, tells the story of a slick band instrument salesman who takes a sleepy Iowa town by storm.

Simone Mantia, baritone.

Mr. Mantia's most famous solo was his variations on Thomas Moore's Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms. The image of soloists playing this tune at a park band concert became so familiar that it was later parodied in several Warner Brothers cartoons.

William J. Bell, tuba.

August Helmecke, bass drum.

Mr. Helmecke was Sousa's highest-paid musician, and it was said that the two had an almost telepathic communication. Sousa loved to add special bass drum and cymbal accents to his marches during performances. A simple glance to Mr. Helmecke was all that was required.

Marjorie Moody, vocalist.

Walter B. Rogers, cornet.

Herman Bellstedt, cornet.

Frank Simon, cornet.