John Phillip Sousa

John Phillip Sousa was born in Washington D.C., Nov 6. 1854. He was the third oldest of ten Children. His father, John Antonio Sousa was Spanish, and his mother, Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus, was from Bavaria. Sousa grew up on military band music, probably because his father played trombone in the U.S. Marine Band. He began music at around the age of six, studying voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone, and alto horn.

When Sousa was 13, he attempeted to run away to join a circus band. After that, his father enlisted him in the Marines to an apprentice. Then in 1872, at 18, Sousa published his first composition, "Moonlight on the Potomac Waltzes". 3 years later he resigned from the Marines and began performing on violin.

In Feburary of 1879, he met Jane van Middlesworth Mellis during rehearsals and married a short while later. A year later, he returned to Washington to the Marines band, this time assuming leadership of it. 1892, he conducted his first concert. During World War I, Sousa is assinged rank of Lieutenant, and he was paid $1 per month.

In his lifetime, he composed over 130 marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "High School Cadets", and "The Aviators". He also composed 15 operettas, which is a light opera, 11 suites, 70 songs, 4 overtures, 4 instrumental solos, 12 trumpet and drum pieces, and over 320 arrangements and transcriptions.

John Phillip Sousa died in 1932, at the age of 77. The last song he conducted before his death, was indeed, the Stars and Stripes Forever.

By Robin Hu
USA