if you knew sousa like i knew sousa

Emma came home from school today (2nd grade) very excited. She explained that in music class, they got to play musical instruments.

I asked her what instrument she played. She boasted, “the claves, Dad!”.

“Oh, that sounds like fun”, I said. “In what song did you play the claves?” I asked.

Emma answered, “Stars, Stripes Forever, Dad. Do you know that song?”

“Yes, Emma, I know it well”.

“Have you ever played that song?”

“Yes Emma, about 12,000 times.”

“It was written by John Philip Sousa, Dad”.

“Yes Emma, it sure was”.

Note to self: Get Mom’s violin out of the closet & into Emma’s hands. There is no violin part to Stars & Stripes.