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John Philip Sousa

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C., in 1854, the third of ten children. His father played trombone in the Marine Band and enrolled him in the band as an apprentice at thirteen, so that he would not join a circus orchestra. Sousa learned violin, piano, flute, brass instruments and voice, and turned out to have perfect pitch. After his service he worked as a violinist and learned to conduct in a theatre orchestra.

Music and breakthrough

In 1880 he returned as leader of the Marine Band and stayed for twelve years. He made it the best military band in the country, with more symphonic repertoire and stricter rehearsals, and conducted under five presidents. In 1892 he founded the civilian Sousa Band. During the First World War he led the Naval Reserve Band in Illinois. His best-known marches are The Stars and Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis, The Liberty Bell, The Thunderer and The Washington Post. He also helped develop the sousaphone, a marching tuba.

Influence

Sousa is called The March King. His marches sound clear and sturdy: a driving rhythm, plenty of brass and a melody that sticks. The Stars and Stripes Forever is the national march of the United States, Semper Fidelis that of the Marine Corps. From 1880 until his death in 1932 he did nothing but conduct and compose. His work laid the foundation for the wind band in American musical culture.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Stars and Stripes Forever and notice the high little flute, the piccolo, which in the final themes sounds out above the rest of the brass.

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsMarch music and brass bands