Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

11/09/2026

A. Austin Harding is a well-known name here on campus and around the country in band circles, but his work with the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), along with Edwin Frank Goldman and John Philip Sousa, is usually not what he's most known for. If you'd like to learn more about Harding's work as ABA treasurer during a tumultus financial time for the United States, check out our latest blog post!

Troubled Waters – Illinois’ A. Austin Harding and the American Bandmasters Association Posted on November 8, 2026 by Scott Schwartz For Illinois music educators whose professional music training is tied to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the university’s first band director, A. Au...

11/06/2026

Let's celebrate Sousa's birthday today with the March King's wonderful "Invincible Eagle March."

Happy Birthday John Philip Sousa (November 6, 1854 – November 5, 2026) Posted on November 6, 2026 by Scott Schwartz In honor of John Philip Sousa’s 172nd birthday the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music celebrates the many dimensions of America’s invincible March King with a special p...

11/04/2026

We have a wonderful new exhibit that opens today documenting America's 250 year legacy with war through music. If you happen to visiting this part of Illinois, then please stop by the Sousa Archives for a tour.

New Sousa Archives Exhibit Opens Today Posted on November 3, 2026 by Scott Schwartz The United States was founded 250 years ago. The meaning of our nation’s birthday has been reflected in the many ways we have celebrated it this year. Many of these celebrations have focused on the nation’s scien...

10/15/2026

One Community Together through Music returns October 17th as part of this year’s Uniting Pride of Champaign County celebration!

Starting at 1pm, this year’s One Community Together (OCT) stage (located at the intersection of Broadway and Main) will provide music performances by several local music ensembles. There will also be children’s educational activities and the Champaign County Museums Network will provide information about our community's many museums, archives, and libraries.

One Community Together Pride Fest Show Returns October 17, 2026 Posted on October 15, 2026 by Scott Schwartz The Sousa Archives and Pride Fest 2026’s One Community Together through Music returns October 17th as part of this year’s Uniting Pride of Champaign County celebration. The Champaign-Urba...

10/06/2026

We have an exciting program scheduled for Wednesday evening to kick off the beginning of this year's Folk and Roots Festival. So if you have a love for all things banjo and want to hear some extraordinary music and discussion with Dom Flemons, then please come to the Music and Performing Arts Library at 5pm on October 7.

Join Dom Flemons for Historic Banjo Performance Discussion Posted on October 6, 2026 by Scott Schwartz Photographs by Scott Schwartz of Dom Flemons performing at the Rose Bowl for October 14, 2023 Folk & Roots Festival, and three Samuel Stewart banjos from 1894 to 1920. America’s Banjo Legacy with...

09/28/2026

Start the Folk and Roots Festival fun early with this informative Banjo performance and conversation! Dom Flemons, one of the country’s leading banjo scholars and performing artists, will provide a spell-binding performance discussion about America’s rich black banjo legacies. Come listen at the Music and Performing Arts Library, October 7, 2026, 5:00-6:30 pm.

Folk and Roots Festival Banjo Preview Performance and Conversation Posted on September 28, 2026 by Scott Schwartz America’s Banjo Legacy with Dom Flemons Music and Performing Arts Library October 7, 2026 5:00-6:30 The five-string banjo is an American invention, but its inventor was not, as some ha...

08/10/2026

For anyone who ever played in one of Mark Foutch's wind bands, you might enjoy checking out our latest acquisition to our music collections. It's a wonderful addition to two Mark Foutch collections.

Mark Foutch Bass Drum — Center’s New Addition Posted on August 10, 2026 by Scott Schwartz Last Friday the Center acquired this bass drum that belonged to Mark R. Foutch, one of Central Illinois’ most well-known community band directors between the 1950s and 2000. According to a Hoopeston, Illi...

07/17/2026

Lots of wonderful fun and musical sounds with this week's ISYM middle school band students. The future of band music in America is in good hands. Sousa would be proud of them.

Illinois Summer Youth Music Middle School Trumpet and French Horn Studio Visits Posted on July 17, 2026 by Scott Schwartz It has been busy these past two days making music with the ISYM middle school trumpet and French horn studios who visited the Center to check out some of our music instrument col...

07/10/2026

Illinois Summer Youth Music Sax Studio Visits the Center Today Posted on July 10, 2026 by Scott Schwartz ISYM Sax Studio Today we had the ISYM sax studio visit the Sousa Archives this afternoon. It was a delight having Andrew Gaffey’s and Jack Govern’s students spend time playing some of our his...

07/09/2026

We enjoyed having the Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM) Trumpet Studio visit us today at the Sousa Archives!

Illinois Summer Youth Music Trumpet Studio Visits the Center Posted on July 9, 2026 by Scott Schwartz ISYM Trumpet Studio This afternoon we had the ISYM trumpet studio visit the Sousa Archives to spend time playing some of the Center’s historical cornets, trumpets, saxhorns, post horns, and herald...