Julianna Keiter
Contributing Writer
The 2024 season for the East Stroudsburg University’s Marching Band will feature two brand-new sousaphones. One of the sousaphones has already arrived, and the second will be another necessary addition to the band’s instrument inventory.
The Warrior Marching Band, who play at multiple sporting events and parades, has seen an increase in sousaphone players this year. This number of musicians exceeded the number of sousaphones the band previously had in storage.
“We needed new horns due to the fact we had more players than instruments – a great problem to have!” remarked Dr. Brian Hodge, Director of Bands for ESU, on the increase in sousaphone players.
Sousaphones are known to be the foundation of the marching band. The local high school band director at East Stroudsburg South, Katye Clogg, explains the importance of a supported bass sound.
“A good-sounding ensemble is based on the ‘pyramid of sound’ with the wide end at the bottom. That should be the bass sound of a group. And a little of the melody goes a long way. It is hard to balance bands because the melody instruments are cheaper and easier to carry. So often more people also play them.”
The two sousaphones, purchased in June of this year, are Conn 20k and are available online from Pro Winds in Wisconsin.
Any brand-new instrument may cost thousands of dollars, and sousaphones are no exception. Dr. Hodge offers high regard and admiration to the administration for funding this purchase.
“These sousaphones were provided by the provost, Dr. Margaret Ball, who found the funding to guarantee that every student in the ESU band would have an instrument they needed this year. This achievement could not have been acquired without her continued support of the ESU band throughout the years. We’re very happy to have such a wonderful administration who supports our program so we can do our job of supporting the university.”
The first sousaphone arrived early afternoon on Friday, Sept. 13, and the second one’s arrival date is coming quickly.