John Philip Sousa

Born

6 November 1854, Washington, D.C.

Died

6 March 1932, Reading, Pennsylvania

Life

Sousa was born in Washington, D.C., on 6 November 1854, near the Marine Barracks, where his father played in the Marine Band. At 13 his father enlisted him in the band as an apprentice musician.

On 1 October 1880 he became Leader of the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own", and directed it until 1892 under five presidents. That year he left to form his own concert band, the Sousa Band. He died on 6 March 1932 in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Why play Sousa

Sousa wrote 136 marches. The Washington Post was written in 1889 to promote an essay contest run by the newspaper; it was such a hit that it earned him the title "March King". The Liberty Bell followed in 1893.

The Stars and Stripes Forever was first played by the Sousa Band on 14 May 1897, and on 11 December 1987 it was named the national march of the United States. Marches are great for building a steady beat and a strong left hand.

When Sousa lived