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THE ORIGINAL SOUSAPHONE
For many years there were claims and counter claims about who invented
the Sousaphone. The conventional wisdom has held that the instrument
was invented by the C.G. Conn company. Indeed, Conn instruments were
in use by the Sousa band by 1898. In the course of researching the history
of the Pepper company we have found reason to believe that the first
bell upright, bass brass instrument was built by the J.W. Pepper Co.
in 1893 and displayed at the industrial exhibt in Philadelphia of that
same year. The instrument pictured is that horn. In an interview with
John Philip Sousa the Christian Science Monitor of May 30, 1922 quoted
him as follows:
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Conn BBb Sousaphone Serial #167214 3 valves, silverplate, "Raincatcher" |
"...the Sousaphone
received its name through a suggestion made by me to J.W. Pepper, the
instrument manufacturer of Philadelphia, full 30 odd years ago. At that
time, the United States Marine Band of Washington, D.C., of which I
was conductor, used a BBb bass tuba of circular form known as a "Helicon".
It was all right enough for street-parade work, but its tone was apt
to shoot ahead too prominently and explosively to suite me for concert
performances, so I spoke to Mr. Pepper relative to constructing a bass
instrument in which the bell would turn upwards and be adjustable for
concert purposes. He built one and, greatful to me for the suggestion,
called it a Sousaphone. It was immediately taken up by other
instrument makers, and is today manufactured in its greatest degree
of perfection by the C.G. Conn Company..."
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Conn BBb Sousaphone Serial #62238 4 valves, silverplate, "Raincatcher" |
The original instrument
is in our posession and is in remarkably good condition. It was partially
restored by the repair department at Zezwitz Music of Reading, PA. On
their advice it was not attempted to overhaul the instrument to "like
new condition" but only to a point to preserve it. It has much elabrate
engraving over much of the body and has a freehand engraving of a portrait
of Mr.Sousa on the bell. It plays remarkably well. Pictured with the
original Pepper Sousaphone is James "Jimmy" Saied, well known conductor
and Sousa impersonator.
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John Phillip Sousa |
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Conn instruments were in use by the J.P.Sousa band by 1898
SOUSAPHONES 4EVERwordt
op internet gezet door
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