July Composer of the Month – John Philip Sousa

This July, we’re showcasing one of the most important composers in American History — John Philip Sousa.

 

Known as the 17th Director of the President’s Own and the writer of Stars and Stripes Forever, traditional American music would not be where it is today without his talents. 

 

John Philip Sousa’s Personal Life

John Philip Sousa was born in Washington D.C. on November 6, 1854, as the third of ten children to Portuguese parents. Sousa began his music education at an early age, learning solfeggio under the tuition of John Esputa Sr. 

However, Esputa Sr. was known for his poor temper, which is why he eventually began studying with his son, John Esputa Jr., where he learned to play the piano, violin, flute, and a number of brass instruments.

 

It was during this time that he progressed very rapidly, writing his very first composition, “An Album Leaf.” However, when Esputa Jr. dismissed his piece as a “bread and cheese” composition, it was thrown away for good.

Sousa’s father played in the Marine Band as a trombonist, eventually listing Sousa in the United States Marine Corps when he was only 13 as a way to deter him from playing in a circus band. During that same year, Sousa studied music under George Felix Benkert. 

 

By 1875, Sousa began performing with his violin after completing his apprenticeship with the United States Marine Corp. He also learned to conduct after joining a local theatrical pit orchestra. In 1880, he returned to the Marine Band as the head of the band, where he would retain the role of conductor until 1892.

 

During this era, he was asked to lead the “President’s Own” band by Rutherford B. Hayes and Benjamin Harrison. 

 

In 1893, Sousa worked with instrument maker J.W. Pepper to create a marching brass instrument known as the sousaphone. They did so by modifying a helicon. By Sousa’s request, he wanted a tuba that could play over a band, whether the band was marching or seated. In 1898 C.G. Conn made updates to the instrument, which was the version that Sousa would continue to use throughout his career. 

When he eventually left the Marine Band in 1892, he started the Sousa Band and toured from 1892 to 1931, performing over 15,600 concerts throughout America and the rest of the world. Some of his most famous performances took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the World Exposition in Paris. 

 

The Sousa Band also played in eight parades throughout its time touring, one of the most popular parades of which was the Arc de Triomphe. 

After spending many years playing and touring, Sousa retired to his home in Sands Point, New York, where he died of heart failure at 77 years old in 1932. The day before his death, he conducted a “Stars and Stripes Forever” rehearsal with the Ringgold Band. 

 

The Influence of John Philip Sousa’s Music

Throughout his career, Sousa wrote over 130 marches, 28 fantasies, 24 dances, 15 operettas, 11 suites, and five overtures, as well as a number of western European symphonic works. 

 

Sousa composed one of his most famous marches, “Stars and Stripes Forever,” on Christmas Day in 1896, when he was aboard an ocean liner on his way back home from vacationing in Europe with his wife. Because he did not have any materials on the boat, he composed the piece in his head and committed the notes to sheet music upon his arrival in the United States. 

 

The first-ever performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever” took place on May 14, 1897, at Willow Grove Park, a large park just a bit outside of Philadelphia. Concert-goers were said to have immediately greeted the piece with enthusiastic attitudes. 

After an Act of Congress in 1987, the piece was adopted as the United States’ official national march.

Even many years after his death, people still referred to Sousa as “The March King.” A non-profit organization known as the John Philip Sousa Foundation was founded in 1981 to recognize superior music students for loyalty, dependability, musicianship, and cooperation. 

 

Notable Facts

• During his early studies with John Esputa Jr., Sousa was found to have perfect pitch. 
• His home, historically known as Wiltbank, has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
• Sousa did not always want to be a musician. In fact, for a long time, he said he wanted to be a baker. 
• Sousa composed the very first official Marine march, “Semper Fidelis.”