While John Philip Sousa is justly well-known for his fine marches, his preferred form of composition for concert band was the suite of character pieces. "Three Quoatations" is a delightful trio of pieces whose titles were part of everyday conversation at the turn of the century. "The King of France" is a tongue-in-cheek concert march describing the advance and retreat of the forces of the King, with a miniature portrait of the dandy king himself. "I, too, was born in Arcadia" is a sensitive pastoral scene featuring a lovely solo for the English Horn. "In Darkes Africa" is a compendium of music characteristic of the continent, including savage rhythms, a hint of cakewalk, and a melancholy reference to the spiritual. Based on the autograph score and the special parts prepared for use by the Sousa Band.