“In the summer of 2024, I was commissioned to compose a march for the Nüsttal Music Association (Musikkapelle Nüsttal e.V.) to celebrate the 60th birthday of conductor Martin Genßler. This offered a welcome opportunity to reflect the jubilarian’s musical tastes.As a great admirer of American (jazz) music, it seemed only natural to weave sonorities of the grand American march tradition into the piece—taking inspiration from Karl L. King, Henry Fillmore, and, of course, John Philip Sousa.

This...