Unique among the many marches penned by
John Philip Sousa, his
1923
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (his only march with a part for harp)
also features the triangle and tambourine. It was written at the request of
his nephew and sponsor, A. R. Varela, immediately after Sousa became
a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Sousa was named the first honorary director of the Almas Temple
Shrine Band in Washington during the same period. (
Source: Band Music
Notes, Norman Smith and Albert Stoutamire.)
