After a 2-year hiatus, I've starting blogging again on Sousaphone history. A lot has happened in those two years, but the most exciting has been the recent discovery of a photograph from March 7, 1896 that shows the first Sousaphone, built by J. W. Pepper in 1895, being played in the Sousa Band.
This was a big, but welcome, surprise to me, as all of the evidence prior to seeing that photo suggested that perhaps the Pepper horn was never actually played in that peerless performing group.
Here's the link to the photo, and a bit more information about it: http://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2015/10/ ... -1896.html
Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
- Dave Detwiler
- bugler

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Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
Last edited by Dave Detwiler on Sun Nov 01, 2015 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
Played an F. E. Olds 4-valve BBb in high school (late '70s)
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
- bisontuba
- 6 valves

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Re: Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
Great detective work!!!!!!
Mark
Mark
- Tubajug
- 5 valves

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Re: Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
That's great! I found it interesting that it was in the tabernacle in Salt Lake City too (I got to play on that organ for about three minutes once)!
Jordan
King 2341 with a Holton "Monster" Eb bell
Eb Frankentuba
Martin Medium Eb Helicon
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's probably not for you.
King 2341 with a Holton "Monster" Eb bell
Eb Frankentuba
Martin Medium Eb Helicon
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's probably not for you.
- iiipopes
- Utility Infielder

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- ppalan
- 3 valves

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Re: Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
Great work, Dave. You are amazing!
Pete
Pete
ppalan
Mirafone186 CC 4v
Yamaha Eb 321
Wessex "Berg" F
Mirafone186 CC 4v
Yamaha Eb 321
Wessex "Berg" F
- Wyvern
- Wessex Tubas

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Re: Found: A photo of the first Sousaphone in action!
Quite fascinating!
Detective-work becoming of Sherlock Holmes
Detective-work becoming of Sherlock Holmes