GETTYSBURGH MARCH - Free Jazz Leadsheet

gettysburgh march, also known as "The Battle Hymn March," was composed by John Philip Sousa in 1896 and is recognized as a patriotic military march. Its commanding melody and precise rhythm make it ideal for ceremonial performances.

The first notable public performance was by Sousa’s own band in Washington, D.C., in 1896, emphasizing its stately tempo and structured phrasing. Structurally, it follows a march form with repeated strains and contrasting trio sections.

Later performances by military and civic bands have kept the march in circulation, often in patriotic celebrations. Lyrically minimal, its focus is on ceremonial music, rhythm, and melodic impact rather than storytelling.