Stars and Stripes Piccolo Solo

Staff Sgt. Torin Olsen of the West Point Band performs the piccolo solo from John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Excerpts taken from two separate concerts live at West Point.

[delaneyroyse]

Imagine this: you have a sister who plays piccolo and got this solo. Just imagine how many times she played this (and made you listen to it...)

[catherinewhitaker]

I had to play this solo in my school's winter concert and it was so hard😂 I've never practiced anything more than I practiced this

[StylebySadie]

I'm currently playing piccolo in my marching band, and this is one of my life goals. I always come pack to this video because I just love how well they play this solo.

[ThisShipFaiIsNorth]

0:51 - 1:21 OH MY GOSH HE PLAY THAT PICCOLO SO FAST I WISH I COULD
DO THAT.

[jessica.]

I started playing piccolo a little over a year ago and my band director just informed me that he wants to get the piccolo solo for stars and stripes forever for me to play on veteran's day this year and I'm really happy that I'll have a solo because I love playing but I'm also really nervous about it.

[MiraDaWulf]

He looks WAY too excited for his ear to be blown to complete bits

[hallieharker]

This is pure ear candy! NICELY DONE, SIR! And he plays it with such confidence and polish and obvious joy! That's like the icing on the cake! ❤️

[cathyparr]

I had to play this from memory in high school while marching down main street in the Veteran's Day Parade. One of my proudest moments. Trust me, this is not something you just pick up. This takes a LOT of breath control, concentration and timing. I applaud these soldiers. They did a perfect job.

[mrspuddingcup]

I have 57 more days until I preform this as my first solo.... So nervous

[karenholland]

Brings back great memories of playing the Stars and Stripes Forever piccolo part with the FAU jazz band, and other concerts... and the Marine Band I woulda-shoulda joined many years ago!

[XKT]

This is my piccolo. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My piccolo is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

Without me, my piccolo is useless. Without my piccolo, I am useless.

[PZCherokee]

That was such a beautiful solo! Beautiful music sir.

[lilymorris]

This has inspired me to start playing the piccolo😃

[PickOfThePiccs]

One of my favorite piccolo solos <3

[chrishinsdale]

This is my flute, there are many others like it but this one is a Piccolo.

[sallymj]

The most awesome part of the most awesome song! Excellent job. You make it look easy!

[vanessacultra]

Started playing piccolo this year as a freshman. Hope to be able to play this by seinor year.

[laurawilde]

Played this by memory when I was in my high school marching band *ahem* years ago. Not easy! This is fabulous - wish I had been able to be that precise! Favorite march because of the piccolo part, and this makes it better.

[donnabelhadj]

This is so cute and beautiful. Good job!

[paulcognito]

I wonder how many times this man has played this tune! Mastery!