John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was an American composer and 
bandmaster, who was known as the "March King".  His talent for 
composing marches, such as the "Stars and Stripes Forever", 
perhaps has never been equalled, and his mastery of band 
conducting was without parallel.

    Sousa was born in Washington D.C. on November 6, 1854.  He
began the study of music early and when he was only 13 played in 
the band of the United States Marine Corps.  Before his 18th 
birthday, Sousa led a vaudeville orchestra in a Washington
theater.  In 1877 he played the violin in the special orchestra 
organized for Jacques Offenbach's tour of the United States.
Three years later he became leader of the Marine Band, a position 
he held until 1892.  He then formed his own group, the Sousa
Band, with which he toured successfully, both in the United 
States and abroad, until shortly before his death.  He died in 
Reading, Pennsylvania on March 6, 1932.

    Many of Sousa's marches, marked by stirring melodies, 
brilliant rhythmic effects, and exciting instrumentation, have
come to be regarded almost as folk music.  In addition to "The 
Stars and Stripes Forever", his most famous marches include "The 
Washington Post", "Semper Fidelis", "King Cotton", "Hands Across
The Sea", "El Capitan", "Liberty Bell", "Manhattan Beach", and 
"The High School Cadets".  Sousa also composed a number of comic
operas, among them "El Capitan" (1896), "The Free Lance" (1906), 
and "The American Maid" (1913).  His other musical compositions
include several symphonic poems, suites for band and for symphony 
orchestra, waltzes, and songs.

    Sousa was active as a writer.  In 1890 he edited "Nation 
Patriotic and Typical Airs of All Lands".  His autobiography, 
"Marching Along", appeared in 1928 and he also produced several 
novels.  A compilation of his occasional writings was issued in 
1910 as "Through the Years with Sousa".


Little Lumpy