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October 6, 2025 7 mins

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What makes marching band music so exciting—and why do beginner bands around the world love playing James Swearingen’s compositions? In this episode of the Music in Our Homeschool podcast, Gena Mayo takes you inside the world of marching bands and shines a spotlight on one of the most beloved composers for young musicians.

You’ll hear about:

  • James Swearingen’s inspiring journey from trumpet player to world-renowned composer
  • His most popular works, like In All Its Glory, Exaltation, and Novena
  • The difference between concert bands, marching bands, and other types of ensembles
  • Why John Philip Sousa helped create the sousaphone—and how it changed marching bands forever
  • How marching bands build teamwork, discipline, and joy in students

Whether your child is just starting band or you simply want to appreciate music in a fresh way, this episode will inspire you to listen more closely, spot the instruments, and enjoy the excitement of band music.

Tune in and discover how music by James Swearingen makes band playing joyful, accessible, and unforgettable!

Find links to all resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/composer-spotlight-james-swearingen/ 

Please follow/subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review and comment if you liked this episode! Find all courses at https://Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com ,free music lessons here: https://MusicinOurHomeschool.com/FreeMusicLessons , and lots more links here: https://linktr.ee/genamayo !

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