Best known for his military marches, John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era. Sousa's most famous marches include 'The Liberty Bell', 'The Thunderer', 'TheWashingtonPost', 'Semper Fidelis' (Official March of the United States Marine Corps), and 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' (National March of the United States of America).

The Northern Pines march wascomposed in 1931and is scored for Concert Band. Named for the tall and beautiful pine trees that blanket the National Music Camp at Interlochen in northern Michigan, Sousa dedicated the march to the students who came tothe camp and toDr Joseph Maddy, its founder. Sousa was the guest conductor of the assembled student band for the premiere.