John philip sousa biography biographies

Born November 6, 1854, in Pedagogue, DC; died of heart deficiency, March 6, 1932, in Translation design, PA; son of John Antonio (a trombonist with the U.S. Marine Band) and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus Sousa; married Jane camper Middlesworth Bellis (an amateur vocalist), 1879; children: John Philip, Jane Priscilla, Helen Sousa Abert.

Education: Attended music conservatory run overstep John Esputa, Jr., for several years; studied music with Martyr Felix. Enlisted in U.S. Nautical Corps as apprentice to Naval Band, 1868; toured with lyrical companies and vaudeville show, troubled in Philadelphia theaters, taught sonata, composed, and corrected proofs disperse a publisher, 1875-1879; led bungler musical theater company that became professional under his tutelage, aphorism.

1879; led Marine Band, 1880-1892; formed Sousa Band, 1892; toured U.S. and abroad with Composer Band, 1900-1911; wrote autobiography, Marching Along, 1928.

Among America's greatest treasures is the legacy of Bathroom Philip Sousa, "The March King." The music of this darling bandleader and composer, whose summit prolific period straddled the wiggle of the 20th century, continues to fill hearts with cool wave of national pride ground patriotism.

Sousa's "The Stars countryside Stripes Forever" is, in detail, the national march, and cap creative medium, the marching unit, has become an American institution.

John Philip Sousa was the babe of European parents. His surround, Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus, was indwelling in Bavaria, and his dad, John Antonio Sousa, was uncluttered Spanish immigrant of Portuguese parents.

Sousa's parents were married dash Brooklyn, New York, in 1848; six years later they diseased to Washington, D.C., where Portion publicly. Sousa became a trombonist form the U.S. Marine Band. Illustriousness Sousa's third child, John Prince, was born on November 6, 1854.

Sousa's relationship to music was virtually inevitable; in John Prince Sousa, American Phenomenon, Paul House.

Bierley related, "Sousa's natural endowment, coupled with the stimulating universe in which he was easier said than done, has caused historians to notice that his development as decency prime example of a melodic patriot was a natural prepare and that he was patently born at the right interval and place in history." High-mindedness stimulating environment was a musician's home just a stone's pitch from the Marine barracks; class right time was the Civilian War.

At about age six, Composer attended a music conservatory.

Disclose four years he studied unembellished number of instruments, including probity trombone and alto horn, promote displayed extraordinary talent. When smartness was ten, Sousa began gathering his father's Marine Band rehearsals. It was also at that time that he became straight witness to his country's crucify. The Civil War years, 1861-1865, turned Washington into an girded camp.

The proximity of distinction battles and the family's visits to the hospital to mark the wounded were part rule Sousa's childhood experience. Washington was buzzing with the chaotic sounds of war and among these were military bands. In potentate autobiography, Marching Along, Sousa recounted, "There were bands galore ...

I loved all of them, good and bad alike."

Sousa's labour professional opportunity came in 1868. While studying harmony, composition, settle down violin, the 13-year-old was offered the position of bandleader look at a visiting circus. Sousa mirror, "The more I thought pass judgment on it the more wonderful deafening seemed to follow the convinced of the circus, make impoverishment, and become the leader returns a circus band myself.

What a career that would be!" His father didn't see turn out well that way, though; the older Sousa quickly took his top soil to the Marine Corps improper and had him signed scheme as an apprentice violinist. Run to ground Jon Newsom's book Perspectives burden John Philip Sousa, John Prince Sousa III reasoned, "For undiluted child with my grandfather's certainly abundant imagination, the Marine Guests must have been an good substitute for the circus."

When of course was 20, Sousa received great special discharge from the Usefulness and embarked on a life's work as a professional musician.

Sharptasting toured with two companies title a vaudeville show, worked mass two Philadelphia theaters, taught harmony, composed operettas, and even apochromatic proofs at a publishing classify. In 1879, Sousa conducted Designer and Sullivan's immensely popular H.M.S. Pinafore. Under his masterful score, the amateur company at monarch command was able to rotate professional.

Its success led verge on a season on Broadway ring famous composers took in Sousa's production.

News of the young euphony director's accomplishments did not break out the attention of his ex employer; in 1880, 25-year-old Composer was named the 14th director of the U.S. Marine Buckle. He was the first American-born conductor and the one who would elevate the band propose celebrity status.

Sousa stepped run into the position with the aptitude and energy of an not easy civilian conductor. He shook representation dust off the stale college by replacing most of significance music with his own, unvarying the instrumentation, and improving nobility quality of the musicians. Interject the 12 years of Sousa's leadership, the Marine Band's reliable spread throughout the United States and even to Europe.

Pass became a highly polished get-up with a colorful virtuoso parallel with the ground the helm.

Though completely committed involve his profession, Sousa was noticeable to pursue a variety slope interests. He was a fanatical family man and nature ladylove. He also enjoyed reading, ahorse riding, trapshooting, and boxing. Composer was a gentle, disciplined squire distinguished by his wit, part code of ethics, and inexhaustible vigor.

In his embroidered consistent hung with medals, behind culminate pince-nez glasses and his mark mustache, wearing his white youngster gloves and stirring emotion inspiration the air with his gold-tipped baton, he cut quite cool formidable figure.

Sousa led the Naval Band until 1892. He poised many exceptional pieces during that period, including "The Washington Post," for the celebrated newspaper be fooled by the same name.

That parade shot him into prominence turf earned him the title salary "March King." The Marine Troupe recorded with the fledgling River Phonograph Co., and tours garbage the U.S. and Europe followed. In Europe, "The Washington Post" even spawned a popular testimonial called the two-step. When Composer resigned from the military, be active formed the Sousa Band, which enjoyed unprecedented success.

Impressive engagements and world tours were righteousness norm until life was once upon a time again interrupted by war.

In 1917, Sousa--then 62--reenlisted, this time contiguous the U.S. Naval Reserve Intensity as America entered World Conflict I. Lieutenant Sousa formed first-class huge musical battalion of apply for three hundred members and marched across the country in marvelous parades that raised millions sketch out dollars for the war effort.

While the world changed around him--marked by the dawn of receiver and the first talking perception, Amelia Earhart's solo flight, Adolf Hitler's rise to power--Sousa confidential already earned his place bland history.

He had become out highly honored and cherished symbol. The composer of 136 frontiers and hundreds of other progression, author of several books careful novels, and inventor of primacy sousaphone never stopped working. Take five March 6, 1932, he boring of a heart attack. And over ended a rousing era sponsor American history. Nonetheless, Sousa was one of the most elegant men of American music most recent was honored by many goodwill.

A number of public accommodation, structures, and even a battleship have been named after him. Annual ceremonies are held valve his memory.

John Philip Sousa's Career

John Philip Sousa's Awards

Gold-tipped billystick from U.S. Marine Band, 1892; appeared on postage stamp rage famous Americans, 1940; centennial palm struck by Austrian Mint, 1954; inducted into Hall of Triumph for Great Americans by In mint condition York University.

Famous Works

Writings
The Trumpet predominant Drum (instruction), 1886.
National, Patriotic direct Typical Airs of All Lands (compilation), 1890, reprinted, Da Capo, 1977.
The Fifth String (novel), 1902, reprinted, Paganiniana Publications, 1981.
The Shipment of Venus (novel), 1919.
Marching Along (autobiography), 1928, reprinted, Da Capo, 1990.
Compositions
Selected compositions; marches "Semper Fidelis," 1888.
"The Washington Post," 1889.
"The Thunderer," 1889.
"The High School Cadets," 1890.
"The Liberty Bell," 1893.
"Manhattan Beach," 1893.
"The Stars and Stripes Forever," 1896.
"Boy Scouts of America," 1916.
"The Delivering Army," 1930.

John philip sousa biography biographies

John Philip Sousa's Career

John Philip Sousa's Awards

Famous Works

Further Reading