Robert C Byrd HS Band performs High School Cadets by John Phillip Sousa at the Sousa Memorial 7/4/26

Here is the Robert C. Byrd High School Marching Band from Clarksburg, WV performing the High School Cadets by John Phillip Sousa at the Sousa Memorial/Gravesite at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. After a phone call from the company handling the parade to all of the tour guides of all the participating bands at the 2026 National Independence Day Parade, we would all learn that this years edition of the parade would be cancelled due to extreme heat. Some of us were shocked, some not. Within 24 hours of the parade getting cancelled, multiple directors of the participating bands made a chat, and learned that the Robert C. Byrd band had a wreath laying ceremony planned at Sousa’s gravesite. Since the Lakeside marching band had no clue if we were playing on the 4th or not, we would get the word that we would be joining the Byrd band at the Congressional Cemetery. Lakeside was honored to play their piece (“The Thunderer”) as well which should be featured on the Pride of the Panthers YouTube channel within the coming days. Thanks for an amazing opportunity to collaborate with the Lakeside and RCB bands to celebrate the life of Sousa with two great pieces of his and the 250th birthday of the United States of America!!!!