by Jari Villanueva | Apr 11, 2018 | Americana, Marches
In 1925, baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis asked Sousa to write a march for the National League’s 50th anniversary. Sousa responded with his wonderful march, “The National Game”. Listen to “The National Game” Landis was...
by Jari Villanueva | Apr 4, 2018 | Biography
Sousa was proud to be a Mason. He entered Masonry at age 26 and was a Master Mason for 51 years. Three of his best known marches have Masonic origins: “The Crusader” (1888), “The Thunderer” (1889), and “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine” (1923). John Philip Sousa’s Masonic...
by Jari Villanueva | Apr 2, 2018 | Americana
Since 1878, American presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting an ‘egg roll’ party. Held on the South Lawn, it is one of the oldest annual events in White House history. Some historians note that First Lady Dolley Madison...
by David Lovrien | Mar 31, 2018 | Announcements
SOUSAMUSIC.COM is now online – the newest version of the oldest Sousa site on the Internet. In 1996 I started the first John Philip Sousa website on the web, and over the years it’s been the #1 resource for information about Sousa’s musical works and...
by Jari Villanueva | Mar 30, 2018 | Biography
In late 1861 Sousa studied solfeggio under John Esputa Sr. but was not able to cope with the elderly Spaniard’s temper so the lessons did not last long. Later Sousa enrolled in a private conservatory of music operated by John Esputa, Jr.. The school was located...
by David Lovrien | Jan 27, 2017 | Recordings
Searching for Sousa music on Amazon.com will give you a list of over 500 CD’s – many of questionable quality. Just so you don’t get burned – here’s my top 10 list of the top Sousa recordings available today. If you have other suggestions,...
by David Lovrien | Jun 13, 2012 | Sousa's Band
On December 24, 1910, the Sousa Band embarked on a world tour. Although not the first group to travel around the world, the publicity generated was immense (although the financial rewards were only modest). Sousa’s reputation, marches and recordings preceded...
by David Lovrien | Jun 13, 2012 | Biography
John Philip Sousa led a remarkable life. This is a brief timeline of the major events. 1854 Born, November 6th John Philip was 3rd of 10 children of John Antonio Sousa (born in Spain of Portuguese parents) and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus (born in Bavaria). John Philip’s...
by David Lovrien | Jun 13, 2012 | Marches
It is arguably the most famous march in the world and it’s certainly one of the best! It is recognized by the U.S. government as the official march of the United States (U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 304). It has original lyrics by Sousa and some other words...
by David Lovrien | Jun 13, 2012 | Sousa's Band
Sousa Band Roster A partial listing of musicians and soloists who performed and toured with Sousa’s Band.Reference: Kenneth Berger, The March King and His Band. New York, Exposition Press, 1957. For a much more complete roster, check out Paul Bierley’s The...
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