The March King Played Before Royalty

The March King Played Before Royalty

The recent passing of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and all the pomp and pageantry that has followed her over her 70-year reign had me reflecting on the two occasions that John Philip Sousa and His Band performed before The Royal Family. Within the pages of one...
No Band at the White House

No Band at the White House

During President Garfield’s short administration the US Marine Band was called but once to play at the White House, and this with such an odd result that the incident is worth relating. The band had been on duty all day, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., participating...
Sousa the Master Mason

Sousa the Master Mason

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...
Sousa’s first music teachers

Sousa’s first music teachers

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...
A brief timeline of Sousa’s life

A brief timeline of Sousa’s life

John Philip Sousa led a remarkable life. This is a brief timeline of the major events. 1854 Born November 6John Philip was born at 636 G Street SE in Washington, D.C., 3rd of 10 children of John Antonio Sousa (born in Spain of Portuguese parents) and Maria Elisabeth...