The Thunderer

"The Thunderer" was a Sousa March dedicated  in 1889 to the Knights Templar of Washington DC, three years after Sousa was inducted into that organization (a fraternal organization that is now known as the Masons).  The origin of the title is not officially known, though it is speculated that it gets its name from the "pyrotechnic of the drum and bugle in the score." It is also one of his most famous.

At the time of this composition, Sousa was considered an outstanding composer and conductor, be he  was still quite inexperienced when it came to business. He sold the rights to many of his most successful marches outright for thirty-five dollars each, as was the case with "The Thunderer."