Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (march)

"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine"
March by John Philip Sousa
Refer to the caption
Sousa at the Shriners' National Convention, June 7, 1923
FormMarch
Composed1923
DedicationAncient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
Duration3 minutes 30 seconds
Premiere
DateJune 1923
LocationGriffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Audio sample
"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" as performed by the United States Marine Band.

"Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" is a march composed by John Philip Sousa upon the request of his nephew, A. R. Varela. Sousa dedicated the march to the Almas Temple and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. It was first conducted in June 1923, with a band of around 6,200 members—the largest Sousa had ever conducted. It is one of the few Sousa marches with the first strain written in the minor mode. Contemporary versions of the march recorded by the Ottoman military band also use the Jingling Johnny in the final strain.