Can our reporter pull off writing a Sousa-syle march for USA TODAY?

It's not every day America turns 250.

Such a celebration calls for a gift. And USA TODAY has one — for our readers, and for the 200 other newspapers in the USA TODAY network. A march.

You know. Rum-ti-tum. John Philip Sousa, flags, 76 trombones. A march!

The brand-new "USA TODAY March" will be performed by the New Jersey Wind Symphony on May 15 at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and then at the outdoor stage of Overpeck Park in Bergen County, New Jersey on July 4. And it's actually part of a great American tradition.

Back in the day, many newspapers had marches. It was a way for the press to publicize itself — while giving readers a toe-tapping reminder of the hard work journalists do, day after day, to keep us informed.

"The Washington Post March" by Sousa — the most famous of all marches, apart from "Stars and Stripes Forever" — was just one of hundreds. There was also a "Chicago Tribune March," a "Baltimore Sun March," a "Denver Post March," and so on. And now ..."The USA TODAY March!"

Which brings us to another old newspaper tradition. The stunt assignment. Nellie Bly going around the world in 72 days. George Plimpton playing football for the Detroit Lions.

We're doing that, too.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jim Beckerman. I'm a 30-year veteran reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, a daily newspaper in Bergen County, New Jersey that is part of the USA TODAY Network. I'm also an enthusiastic but untrained musician. I've written "The USA TODAY March" to honor my colleagues in the newsroom, and the profession. And to remind people, at this divided time, that the founders considered newspapers a vital part of democracy.

If maestro Chris Wilhjelm and his splendid New Jersey Wind Symphony think I'm up to the job — and only if — I will conduct the July 4 performance of my own piece, in Overpeck Park.

Will I succeed? Will I fail?

Join me on a unique three-month journey — as you watch "The USA TODAY March" take shape for America's Semiquincentennial.

I'll be checking in with you regularly, as I — and all of you — learn just what it takes to write, arrange, orchestrate, rehearse, and conduct a new piece of music for a 60-piece wind orchestra.

In our series, I'll report my progress. And in the end, you'll get to hear the results — and judge for yourself.

It's a classic American saga of pioneer determination! And you'll walk out humming it!

Once, hundreds of newspapers had marches. Why and how they disappeared

John Philip Sousa's "Washington Post March" is, second to "Stars and Stripes Forever," the most famous march in the world. You've heard it a thousand times — even if you never knew it had anything to do with newspapers. "People say, 'Oh, I always thought that was about a fort or something," said musicologist George C. Foreman. But other newspapers had marches, too. Not just a few newspapers. A lot of newspapers. Between 500 and 600. Read more: Once, hundreds of newspapers had marches. Why and how they disappeared

How our reporter wrote the 'USA TODAY March' for America's 250th

After several decades of playing in blues bands, writing one or two scores, just for fun, in videos made for The Record, and penning a short-lived off-Broadway musical, our reporter, Jim Beckerman, a features writer since 1995, is ready for his closeup. Here's how he — barely able to read or write music — took a three-minute march he recorded in piano form and, with much help from others, readied it to be played by a 60-piece ensemble. Read more: How our reporter wrote the 'USA TODAY March' for America's 250th

Our reporter composed the 'USA TODAY March,' but can he conduct it?

Sure. No problem. A quick 10-minute conducting lesson from maestro Chris Wilhjelm — and then I'll be ready to take the baton and lead the 60-piece New Jersey Wind Symphony in a stirring rendition of my "USA TODAY March." Easy peasy. The same way someone might take a first driving lesson, then barrel down the Garden State Parkway at 70 m.p.h. No — that's not quite it. More like, compete in the Indianapolis 500. Because there will be an audience. Read more: Our reporter composed the 'USA TODAY March,' but can he conduct it?

'USA TODAY March' gets a rehearsal before its debut. What it was like

There is no sound as thrilling as an orchestra tuning up. In the beginning, random sounds. Individual notes. Chaos. All is without form, and void. It is Genesis 1:1. Then a single instrument sounds a single note. LET THERE BE LIGHT! That moment is fast approaching. Read more: 'USA TODAY March' gets a rehearsal before its debut. What it was like