In celebration of Hopewell Borough’s 125th Anniversary, the Hopewell Museum and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society will present “If You Knew Sousa” on July 11 at 6 p.m. at the Hopewell Museum, 28 E Broad Street, Hopewell. A concert by the Blawenburg Band will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Jerry Rife, professor of music at Rider University in Lawrence, will speak about John Philip Sousa and “how he became the most famous musician in the world.”
Rife will discuss the impact Sousa had on local communities and his influence on how communities developed their own bands. One example of this is the Blawenburg Band. Founded in 1890, this band is one of the oldest continuing community bands in New Jersey. Rife has been its director since 1985.
Rife will incorporate several video segments from the documentary film, “If You Knew Sousa.” The film was created by local filmmaker Tom Spain, who is a member of the band. The 90-minute film was funded by WGBH public television in Boston and aired as the flagship show of The American Experience to an estimated national viewing audience of 6 million people.
After the program, the Blawenburg Band concert will be held on the museum grounds. This program is free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages. Parking will be available along Broad Street, as well as on many of the neighboring side streets. For more information visit
. To RSVP, email hvhist@aol.com.
Jerry Rife, professor of music at Rider University, will present “If You Knew Sousa.” (Photo: Hopewell Valley Historical Society.),
