how did john philip sousa get into music

John Philip Sousa gained great proficiency on the violin, and at the age of 13 he was almost persuaded to join a circus band. However, his father intervened and enlisted him as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band

. Except for a period of six months, Sousa remained in the band until he was 20.

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Who influenced John Philip Sousa?

At age 13, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Band as a "boy" (apprentice) musician, but he also continued his private music studies. His most important teacher was George Felix Benkert, with whom he studied violin, harmony, and composition.

What are 5 facts about John Philip Sousa?

Here are some interesting facts we discovered in studying John Phillip Sousa:He did not always want to be a Composer and Musician. At one time he waned to be a Baker.The first instrument he learned to play was the violin.He almost died of pneumonia when he was five becuase he stayed out in the rain too long!

What nickname did John Philip Sousa receive for his contribution to music?

Sousa left the Marine Band to form his own civilian band in 1892. With 136 marches to his name, Sousa had achieved global fame, earning the nickname “March King.”

Who is the first composer of military band music?

composer Gustav HolstThe First Suite in E♭ for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1, by the British composer Gustav Holst is considered one of the cornerstone masterworks in the concert band repertoire.

Who invented sousaphone?

J.W. PepperPepper and C.G. Conn companies took credit for building the first sousaphone; while C.G. Conn claimed to have invented the instrument in 1898, Sousa recalled going to J.W. Pepper to create the first prototype in 1893.

What is Sousa best known for?

John Philip Sousa was an American entertainer and composer. He is best remembered for his marches, his band, and his patriotism. Known as the "March King," he wrote 136 marches, including The Stars and Stripes Forever, the national march of the United States.

Who was the most successful marching band leader of America?

John Philip SousaSousa in 1900BornNovember 6, 1854 Washington, D.C., U.S.DiedMarch 6, 1932 (aged 77) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.Burial placeCongressional Cemetery15 more rows

What was Philip chosen to play in concert?

Answer: Philip got into trouble because of his foolishness. He played baseball whole day on the day of concert.

What was the first instrument Sousa learned to play?

the violinThe son of an immigrant Portuguese father and a German mother, Sousa grew up in Washington, D.C., where from the age of six he learned to play the violin and later various band instruments and studied harmony and musical theory first with John Esputa and then with George Felix Benkert.

What finally made Philip into a famous music composer?

He received accolades for his debut opera, Einstein on the Beach, and eventually earned Oscar nominations for scoring the films Kundun, The Hours and Notes on a Scandal.

What is the difference between an orchestra and a concert band?

Q: What is the difference between an orchestra and a concert band? A: The most obvious difference between the ensembles is the instruments that call the ensemble home. Violins, violas, cellos and basses make up the majority of an orchestra, while a concert band is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Who was the leading American composer and conductor of band music?

Who was the leading American composer and conductor of band music? The leading American composer and conductor of band music was John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), nicknamed the "march king." His best-known marches include The Stars and Stripes Forever, The Washington Post, and Semper Fidelis.

How did Philip come to be known as the March King?

He is well known for his marches, band, and patriotism. He was known as the "March King," as he composed 136 marches. He also wrote operettas, popular songs, waltzes, and other musical compositions, as well as seven books and several essays. He rose to prominence as the commander of the United States Marine Band.

What are two of John Philip Sousa's most well known compositions?

John Philip Sousa served as the the 17th Director of "The President's Own" from 1880-1892. The most famous director of the band, he wrote the national march "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and the official march of the Marine Corps "Semper Fidelis."

Which composer was known as the Czech march king?

Most of Fučík's work was composed for military orchestras. That is why he is sometimes called “The Bohemian Sousa”, after the world-famous military bandmaster, or “The Czech March King”. Fučík was a very productive writer, composing over 300 marches, polkas, and waltzes. Some of his works continue to be played today.

Who wrote famous marches?

JOHN PHILIP SOUSABY JOHN PHILIP SOUSA As one of America's most famous and prolific composers, John Philip Sousa wrote 135 marches and dozens of other works, including operettas, songs and suites.

What instrument did Sousa play?

The son of an immigrant Portuguese father and a German mother, Sousa grew up in Washington, D.C., where from the age of six he learned to play the violinand later various band instruments and studied harmonyand musical theory first with John Esputa and then with George Felix Benkert. In 1867 he began to follow the career of his father as a trombonist, but later he took engagements as an orchestral violinist and served as a conductor. He also began composing.

Who was John Sousa?

Biography of John Philip Sousa, American bandmaster and composer of many remarkable military marches, including ‘Semper Fidelis’ (1888), which became the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps; ‘The Washington Post’ (1889); ‘The Liberty Bell’ (1893); and ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ (1897).

Where did Sousa grow up?

The son of an immigrant Portuguese father and a German mother, Sousa grew up in Washington, D.C., where from the age of six he learned to play the violin and later various band instruments and studied harmony and musical theory first with John Esputa and then with George Felix Benkert.

How many marches did Sousa compose?

Sousa composed 136 military marches, remarkable for their rhythmic and instrumental effects.

What did John Philip Sousa want to do?

At 13, John Philip Sousa, like many boys of his day, wanted to run away and join the circus. Seeing how badly his son wanted to perform, his father Antonio, a trombonist in the U.S. Marine Corps band, convinced his commander to give the boy a place. John Philip Sousa had studied voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone, ...

How long did John Sousa serve in the Marines?

John Philip Sousa had studied voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone, and alto horn from the age of six. The Marines continued his musical education and taught him to "read, write, and cipher" for a deduction from pay of $1 per month. Sousa remained in the Corps for eight years, at the end of which he was discharged ...

How many marches did Sousa make?

Sousa had already composed a good number of his 136 military marches, including the Marine Corps' official march "Semper Fidelis" (1888), popular dance march "The Washington Post' (1893), and his beloved 'The Stars and Stripes Forever" (1897). The latter was adopted as the official march of the United States in 1987.

Where is Sousa buried?

Sousa died on March 6, 1932, after a rehearsal of "The Stars and Stripes Forever.". He is buried in Washington, D.C.'s Congressional Cemetery.

When did Sousa retire?

His music may last forever, but Sousa's tenure as bandmaster did not. In 1892, he was offered a job directing his own civilian concert band and retired from the Corps on July 30 of that year to begin touring.

Who was the conductor of the Marine Band?

However, shortly after his 1879 marriage to singer Jane van Middlesworth Bellis, the 26-year-old Sousa received a telegram offering him the position as conductor of the Marine band. He accepted and reported for duty on Oct. 1, 1880. As the band’s 17th leader, Sousa raised its standards, reshaped its rehearsal discipline, and replaced most of its music. Serving under presidents Hayes, Garfield, Cleveland, Arthur, and Harrison, he made "The President’s Own" into a virtuoso ensemble fit for a king -- the "March King," as Sousa was called.

Where was the first Sousa band concert?

The first Sousa Band concert was performed September 26 at Stillman Music Hall in Plainfield, New Jersey. Two days earlier, bandleader Patrick Gilmore had died in St. Louis. Nineteen of Gilmore’s former musicians eventually joined Sousa’s band, including Herbert L. Clarke (cornet) and E. A. Lefebre (saxophone). The original name of the band was “Sousa’s New Marine Band”, but criticism from Washington forced the withdrawal of the name.

What did Sousa do after the war?

After the war, Sousa continued to tour with his band. He championed the cause of music education, received several honorary degrees and fought for composers’ rights, testifying before Congress in 1927 and 1928.

What was the last piece of Sousa?

The last piece he conducted was “The Stars and Stripes Forever”. For a more detailed timeline of Sousa’s life, visit the John Philip Sousa Timeline at the Library of Congress website.

Who is John Philip's father?

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 father, Antonio, played trombone in the U.S. Marine band. He grew up around military band music.

Where did Sousa play violin?

When he received his discharge from the Marine Corps, Sousa conducted and played violin in Washington. He also toured with multiple theater orchestras. In 1876, he moved to Philadelphia where he was a composer, arranger and proofreader for various publishing houses. He composed the incidental music and the march for the musical “Our Flirtation” and toured with the production.

How old was John Sousa when he joined the circus?

A youthful Sousa nearly joined the circus band when he was 13, but luckily, his father stepped in and enrolled his son as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band instead. He was part of the band for seven years, with the exception of six months, until the age of 20. John Philip Sousa. 3.

What was the name of the march that Sousa composed?

6. Sousa composed the official Marine march. Titled “Semper Fidelis,” Sousa dedicated his 1888 composition to the officers and men of the Marine Corps. 7. A British band journalist is responsible for Sousa’s nickname – the March King. Sousa’s 1889 work, the “Washington Post” march garnered immense popularity.

What is the significance of the baton of Sousa?

Sousa’s baton has been passed down through generations. Sousa’s farewell gift upon retirement from his post as Marine Band conductor is passed down to each new leader of the ensemble. Sousa’s musicians gifted him with an engraved baton as a token of their respect and esteem in 1892.

When did Sousa Abert give the baton back to the band?

His daughters Jane Priscilla Sousa and Helen Sousa Abert gave the baton back to the band in 1953, and it is now presented to each incoming director at change of command ceremonies – a literal passing of the baton. 9. Sousa rejoined the military in his 60s.

What was the title of Sousa's 1888 composition?

Titled “Semper Fidelis,” Sousa dedicated his 1888 composition to the officers and men of the Marine Corps.

Where was Sousa born?

1. The Marine Corps and music were the family business. Sousa was born close to the Marine Barracks in Washington on November 6, 1854.

What instrument did John Sousa play?

There he studied piano and most of the orchestral instruments, but his first love was the violin. John Philip Sousa gained great proficiency on the violin, and at the age of 13 he was almost persuaded to join a circus band. However, his father intervened and enlisted him as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band.

What was Sousa fascinated by?

Sousa was fascinated by the operetta form and toured with a company producing the musical Our Flirtation, for which he wrote the incidental music and the march. While on tour in St. Louis, he received a telegram offering him the leadership of the Marine Band in Washington.

What did Sousa study?

In addition to his musical training in the Marine Band, he studied music theory and composition with George Felix Benkert, a noted Washington orchestra leader and teacher. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Sousa remained in Washington for a time, conducting and playing the violin.

Why did Sousa write the Washington Post march?

In 1889, Sousa wrote the "Washington Post" march to promote an essay contest sponsored by the newspaper; the march was soon adapted and identified with the new dance called the two-step. The "Washington Post" became the most popular tune in America and Europe, and critical response was overwhelming.

How many presidents did Sousa serve?

In his 12 years as Leader of the Marine Band, he served under five Presidents, and the experience he gained with the Marine Band would be applied to his civilian band for the next 39 years. With his own band, Sousa’s fame and reputation would grow to even greater heights.

What is the name of the bridge that John Philip Sousa built?

His music was not the only memorial to John Philip Sousa. In his native city on Dec. 9, 1939, the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge across the Anacostia River was dedicated to the memory of the great American composer and bandmaster.

Where was John Sousa born?

Sousa was born Nov. 6, 1854, at 636 G Street, SE, Washington, DC, near the Marine Barracks where his father, Antonio, was a musician in the Marine Band. He received his grammar school education in Washington and for several of his school years enrolled in a private conservatory of music operated by John Esputa, Jr. There he studied piano and most of the orchestral instruments, but his first love was the violin. John Philip Sousa gained great proficiency on the violin, and at the age of 13 he was almost persuaded to join a circus band. However, his father intervened and enlisted him as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band. Except for a period of six months, Sousa remained in the band until he was 20.

How long did Sousa play?

Sousa (1854-1932) and his band: the most famous musical act in the world for 40 years!

Who asked Sousa to write a march for the 50th anniversary of the National League?

In 1925, baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis asked Sousa to write a march for the National League’s 50th anniversary.

How did John Philip Sousa influence the modern day?

The time and environment in which he wrote and performed his works greatly inspires the modern generation and shows the power of determination. He is well known as The Match King, and this shows the contemporary artists that they should always strive to be identified with something. Finding a tag that identifies a particular band would be possible if they keep doing one thing that makes them unique. The current generation has a lot to learn from Sousa as discussed in this paper.

How did Sousa get his job?

Sousa had the advantage of learning most of the core training for band music while he was still young. Now 21 years of age, he promptly landed a job in the first violin section of the official centennial orchestra playing for guest conductor Jacques Offenbach. He got skills in violin, piano and music composition and these made his works easier as he organized his band. Sousa did not have to hire a professional to help him train his band but could do it himself with lots of ease. The greatest wonder is the fact that he amassed a lot of professional experience at a time when such knowledge was hard to gain. Could be this is one of the reasons why he was greatly celebrated as he climbed the ladder of musical fame.

What is John Philip Sousa's greatest lesson?

John Philip Sousa's work has an impact not only in the past but also in the current day bands. The modern day band lover appreciates his work because of its originality and the fact that it is natural. Music describes in my terms as a music of the heart. The modern bands admire the rhythm, intonation, precision and integrity of Sousa works. The current bands have a problem achieving a balance between instruments and clarity of the music. This is the greatest lesson that work of John Philip teaches modern bands. The largest wish of listeners of bands today is to get a band with the powerful instrument, but still, the voices can be heard word by word. More often today, it is only the instruments that are heard.

Why is Philip Sousa an idol?

Philip Sousa is seen as an idol to so many young people in the entire globe. According to Frederick Fennel, the young adults look at Philip and see someone they would like to be like. Most of the youths who worship him as their role model have a great passion and enthusiasm for music and musical instruments. He is loved mostly for the mere fact that his pieces of music have great attraction to the intended audience. This is typical of what happened at the National Music Camp's Interlochen Bowl. Those who performed with him confesses that he made them perform not because it was their duty to but because the performance was emanating from deep within their hearts. This showed the power of enthusiasm and self-belief. The end results of this were total involvement of almost all American youths into ban performance.

Why did John Philip Sousa become an icon?

The band and John Philip Sousa became international icons because of the great showmanship he displayed while conducting and as the band performed. Many are mesmerized by the fact that they cannot trace and understand how Sousa's band climbed the ladder to become the best. It is a general assumption that Sousa sieved what worked out as they trained and perfected on such.

What is the importance of music?

The inspiration of the composers of the music have a great impact on the music and its beauty, and therefore a close attention must be paid to the melody and harmony. The bands have a great responsibility of keeping melody and harmony in check all the time to ensure their message do not pass the intended audience. John Philip Sousa has great impacts on a modern day music band as discussed herein. All the pieces of music in modern society must have been inspired by some higher power according to the works of John Philp, 1930. Though atheist would consider this funny, it is a fact that lack of inspiration would make a piece of music have less impact.

Why did Sousa perform in modern day bands?

During his entire life, Sousa performed only to the militia. His dedication was to ensure the navy was greatly entertained at all-time especially during the wars. Settling for one line of duty could be the reason why he became so successful in what he did, and this is a lesson to modern day bands. His choice placed him at a position where he could easily communicate to the then greatest US and world leader.