John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa

In all the years that I have been involved with band, I have a certain love for the music of Mr. John Philip Sousa. His marches have been an inspiration to myself and marching bands all over the world. He's managed to touch the hearts of many, both young and old. He was a very patriotic composer and most of his work came from the love of his country.

He was born in Washington D.C. on November 6, 1854. His parents were John Antonio Sousa (born in Spain of Portuguese parents) and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus (born in Bavaria). He had 10 brothers and sisters. Of the ten he was the third oldest. His father was a trombone player for the U.S Military Band. Because of this, as a child he was constantly surrounded by music, especially military band music. At about the age of six, Sousa's father noticed his son had a talent and quickly enrolled him in solfeggio (music lessons) with a local Italian teacher. It was found that Sousa, even at such a young age has absolute pitch and was gifted enough to begin basic training in harmony and the study of the violin. His early school days were coincided with the great events of the American Civil War, then going on in the Washington area.

By the age of 11 Sousa had organized and was the lead of his own 'quadrille orchestra'. The rest of the orchestra was made up of seven grown men and they became a very popular dance orchestra in the Washington area. By this time John P. Sousa he had learned to read and write music. He could also play several different instruments, including, violin, piano, flute.

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