The tone of a march in circus settings is severe and abrupt, usually used to introduce or conclude an act. The measures of time for marches are either 4/4 or 2/2. These type of time signatures create an abrupt, almost abrasive, sound component. Famous marches include "Quality Plus" (composed by Fred A. Jewell in 1913), "Rameses" (composed by J.J. Richards in 1911), and "Ringling Brothers Grand Entree" (composed by Charles Edward Duble in 1906).
A screamer is a more specific form of the circus march. Screamers were actually written from approximately 1895 through 1955 and designed to rouse the crowds for certain portions of the show. Ringleaders would often request screamers because of how popular march music was at the time. The official introduction of the circus, called "Entry of the Gladiators," is considered a screamer, which was written by Julius Fucík in 1904.
Waltzes are often played during the flying trapeze act. The slow yet anticipation-building tone of the waltz fits this defiance of gravity. The most common waltz of the circus is called "Over the Waves" (composed by Juventino Rosas in the 1800s). Other famous waltzes include "The Crimson Petal" (composed by Fred A. Jewell in 1901), "Valse Bleu" (composed by Alfred Margis in 1900), and "Wedding of the Winds" (composed by John T. Newcomer in 1899).
Polka music is one of the wackier styles to appear in the circus, typically playing during clown segments. Renowned Russian composed Igor Stravinsky wrote an enduring polka for the circus, called simply "Circus Polka" (alternately known as "Polka for Circus Elephants"). He wrote the song in 1942 for the Ringling Brothers; however, the song ultimately proved to be disorienting for the elephants and ended up falling into obscurity. "Thunder and Lightning," one of the most famous circus polkas, was written in 1868 by Johann Strauss Jr. to accompany the performance of the acrobats.