program notes by composition > F > The Flashing Eyes of Andalusia

The Flashing Eyes of Andalusia

John Philip Sousa / arr. Keith Brion

The Flashing Eyes of Andalusia is a brilliant and fiery Spanish dance. Andalusia is a large autonomous region in the south of Spain.

John Philip Sousa (1852–1932) was an American composer and conductor best known for military marches. He started playing the violin at age six and had absolute pitch. At age 13 he was enlisted as an apprentice in the United States Marine Band by his father, a trombonist of Portuguese descent. Sousa achieved phenomenal success over four decades as a military band leader and with his own civilian band. He was an exceptionally inventive composer of over two hundred works, including symphonic poems, suites, songs and operettas created for both orchestra and band.

Last updated on March 19, 2019 by Palatine Concert Band