Karl L. King wrote the stirring ‘Emblem Of Freedom’ during his career as a circus bandmaster. To him, the people from every walk of life that gathered under the Big Top, represented the very essence of freedom – the right to pick and enjoy an entertainment medium that itself is noted for fancy-free activities. The vigorous gusto with which the march is performed is reminiscent of the circus atmosphere, but its long association with national events has made it a patriotic favorite. With the Emblem Of Freedom as a pace-setter, the National Symphonic Band, directed by Roy W. Baker, presents a spirited brace of tunes, representing a cross-section of march music in America. Freedom’s emblem embraces a variety of musical entries – the college football spectacle, the pageantry of a military parade, the romantic concert pieces and the ingenious novelty tunes. Martial airs are soundly depicted by John Philip Sousa’s The Rifle Regiment and Joseph Olivadoti’s Legionnaires On Parade. The former introduces a musical picture of a snappy dress parade with all its maneuvers, while the latter typifies the spirit of the annual, national Legion marches. American Patrol, usually classified as a military march dedicated to the Coast guard and Border Patrol, shines forth here in a special novelty interpretation. The collegiate picture is enthusiastically illuminated by four entries. Co-eds On Parade pays tribute to the brilliant displays of pageantry associated with half-time celebrations on the gridiron. Then there are dynamic salutes to the crimson and blue Jayhawkers of the University Of Kansas and the red and blue uniformed Wildcats reflected in the University Of Arizona March. Moving further west, The Coast Pacific honors the many schools along the Pacific shore. For pace-changing romance, there are the descriptive Landsighting by Edvard Grieg and the Karl L. King serenade, A Moonlight Melody, and finally for a novel marching band ingredient, the hearty Scottish congeniality of the skirling Scottish Pipers and the traditional Auld Lang Syne.