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The National Music of A merica. 157
bands, entitled "The Washington March." When Washington was elected the first President of the United States, some musician hit on the idea of composing something better to celebrate the event and for performance on public occasions thenceforward. Again we find the conflicting stories connected with the composition which seem to accompany almost every successful piece of national music. To state the ascertained facts first; it is definitely known that the composition was written in 1789, and that it was called "The President's March." Regarding its first performance and its composer there is some doubt. William McKoy, in "Poulson's Advertiser" for 1829, states that the march was composed by a German musician in Philadelphia, named Johannes Roth. He is also called " Roat " and "Old Roat," in some accounts. That there was a Philip Roth living in Philadelphia at about this time may be easily proved, |
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