Happy 150th, John Phillip Sousa!!
Catherine
What's New (updated 10/22/2002)
About John Philip Sousa
Includes a short biography with pictures...
March of the Month
Each month we feature one of Sousa's best marches in RealAudio, MPEG3, MPEG2 and MIDI
formats. This month:
The Glory of the Yankee Navy
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Sousa? Find an answer here!
Special Attraction!
If you lived in a small town 100 years ago, nothing short of a presidential
whistle-stop could match the thrill of a Sousa Band concert. Join the Sousa Band as
their semi-annual transcontinental tour brings them to Duluth, Minnesota. A sample
concert program is included along with photos, newspaper advertisements and reviews.
Sousa's Band
Learn about the most famous band in history. Band roster, soloist profiles.
Top 10 Sousa Recordings
Is there a Sousaphile in your life? The holidays are coming - check out this listing
of the absolute best recordings of Sousa's music available today!
The Music of Sousa
Listing of all of Sousa's compositions, with nearly 100 sound clips and MIDI files.
"The Stars & Stripes Forever"
Listen and learn about our national march! Includes the lyrics, story and analysis
of this great composition.
Books about Sousa
Book reviews, where to purchase books, etc.
More photos of Mr. Sousa
Related Sites
Links to other sites of interest.
http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/Sousa_JP.htm
John Phillip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. on 6 November 1854, of a Portuguese
father (Antonio Sousa, who had enlisted in the Marine Band in 1854) and a German
mother (Elizabeth Trinkhouse Sousa). He began his musical education at the age of six
in Washington, D.C., under Professor John Esputa and G.F. Benkert, and later studied
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of 11, he first appeared as violin soloist.
He began his career in the United States Marine Band at the age of 13, serving as an
apprentice "boy" who had enlisted to receive instruction "in the trade or mystery of
a musician." At 15, he was teaching harmony. Prior to his being appointed Leader of
the Marine Band, he directed various theatrical and operatic companies.
The records of Marine Corps Headquarters show the following enlistments of John
Philip Sousa; 9 June 1868 to 31 December 1871; 8 July 1872 to 18 May 1875; 1 October
1880 to 30 September 1885; 2 October 1885 to 1 October 1890; and 2 October 1890 to 30
July 1892.
On 1 January 1879, John Philip Sousa married Miss Jan Van M. Bellis, a singer of
Philadelphia, appearing with the company of which he was director.
Sousa became leader of the Marine Band on 1 October 1880. The Marine Band made its
first concert tour of the United States, visiting the eastern and middle states in
1891, and the Pacific coast in 1892. These tours gave the people of the United States
an excellent opportunity to know John Philip Sousa, and to hear the United States
Marine Band.
Sousa's personality, his musical and executive ability were instrumental in making
the Marine Band a familiar and popular musical organization to residents and visitors
of the Nation's Capitol. During the twelve years Sousa served as Leader, the Marine
Band played at open air concerts at the White House Grounds, at the Capitol Plaza,
state dinners, receptions at the White House, diplomatic and other public affairs.
In November 1889, the Marine Band, under Sousa, furnished the music on the occasion
of the "Centennial Celebration of the Ratification of the Constitution of the United
States by North Carolina" at Fayetteville, North Carolina. In their second appearance
in North Carolina, dedicating the "Mechlenburg Declaration of Independence," the
Marine Band, under Sousa, opened the ceremonies with the "Star Spangled Banner" and
as an encore to each number on the program, the Band played "Dixie" which was
"received with wild acclaim."
During his service with the U.S. Marine Band, Sousa received the praise of five
Presidents: Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Grover
Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison. On 30 July 1892, he resigned from the Marine Band
in order to organize a band of his own.
In his book, Marching Along, Sousa gives accounts of the activities of the Marine
Band as well as those of the newly organized band of his own. Sousa, the "March
King," received decorations from several countries in honor of his genius as a
composer and as a band leader, among them were the Victorian Order (British), the
Grand Diploma of Honor of the Academy of Heinhault (Belguim), the French decoration
of Palms of the French Academy of Music, which offered an officership of public
instruction in France. He contributed over 100 marches, about 10 light operas,
several waltzes and overtures. Among the most famous of his marches are: "The Stars
and Stripes Forever," "Semper Fidelis," "Washington Post," "Liberty Bell," "High
School Cadets," "Invincible Eagle," "El Capitan," "The Thunderer," "Presidential
Polonaise," "Manhattan Beach," "Yorktown Centennial," "Hands Across the Sea," "Man
Behind the Gun," "King Cotton," "Bullets and Bayonets," "Boy Scouts of America,"
"Liberty Loan March," "Naval Reserve March," "Sabre and Spurs March," and "On the
Campus March."
In 1917, Sousa was assigned to the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois,
in the capacity of musical director, and received the rank of Lieutenant Commander,
USNR. He gave a great many concerts during World War I in behalf of the Liberty Loan
Drives.
Upon the request of the officers of the United States Marine Corps who had served
during the Boxer Rebellion in North China in 1900, Sousa composed a march, "The Royal
Welch Fusiliers," to commemorate their association with the British regiment. In
June 1930, Sousa attended the ceremony at Tidworth, England, where a "beautifully
bound score of the march" was formally presented to the Royal Welch Fusiliers (the
oldest regiment in Wales) to perpetuate the friendship of the regiment with the
United States Marine Corps.
He also composed the march "The George Washington BiCentennial March" in 1930
(published by the Sam Fox Publishing Company in 1932) in honor of the 200th birthday
anniversary of George Washington.
His last appearance before the Marine Band was on the occasion of the Carabao Wallow
of 1932 at Washington, D.C. The Marine Band furnished the music for the big event.
Sousa, as a distinguished guest, arose from the speaker's table, took Captain Taylor
Branson's place on the podium, and conducted the Marine Band in the stirring strains
of "The Stars and Stripes Forever." It is said that no band ever played with so much
spirit, and that tears trickled down the cheeks of various members of the band as
well as those of the audience.
John Philip Sousa died on 6 March 1932 at Reading, Pennsylvania, in his 78th year.
His body was brought to Washington, D.C., the city of his birth and triumphs and lay
in state in the band hall of the Marine Barracks. On Thursday, 10 March, two
companies of Marines and Sailors, the Marine Band, and honorary pallbearers from the
Army, Navy, and Marine Corps headed the funeral cortege from the Marine Barracks to
Congressional Cemetery in Southeast Washington. In Washington, D.C., on 9 December
1939, the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge across the Eastern Branch of the Potomac
River, was dedicated as a memorial to the great Washington composer and bandmaster,
John Philip Sousa, and named Sousa Bridge. The Marine Band rendered his famous
marches at this dedication.
Dave
put a "Star" on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood, California serveral years
ago? He also produced the big unvailing ceremony with the Marine Band and
the USC Trojan Marching Band in attendance. The answer.... Harvey Berish!
The ceremonial plaque issued by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was on
display yesterday at the Chino Band Review.
Dave
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:cZdjd.20428$mK3....@newssvr31.news.prodigy.com...
Catherine
news:10ot55m...@corp.supernews.com...
> And guess who lead
"led"
> the campaign, raised awareness, and raised the funds to
> put a "Star" on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood, California
> serveral
"several"
> years ago? He also produced the big unvailing
"unveiling"
> ceremony with the Marine Band and
> the USC Trojan Marching Band in attendance.
> The answer.... Harvey Berish!
So? There's a difference between serving - rewarding in and of itself, without
expecting kudos for exploiting, er... "honoring" someone else's achievements.
Besides, I'd be far more impressed if Berish was playing Sousa.
Particularly when a good deed is done to cover up and enable child molestation.
Further, there's no proof that it ended in the Bronx, particularly given the sort of
"defense" you and Harvey have pursued rather publicly these past years.
> The ceremonial plaque issued by the Hollywood Chamber of
> Commerce was on display yesterday at the Chino Band Review.
>
> Dave
Gee, Dave - duya hafta make every thread about you and yer buddy? <$.02 to EVERYONE>
-- Catherine
Melodious Thunk
> And guess who lead the campaign, raised awareness, and raised the funds to
> put a "Star" on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood, California serveral years
> ago? He also produced the big unvailing ceremony with the Marine Band and
> the USC Trojan Marching Band in attendance. The answer.... Harvey Berish!
> The ceremonial plaque issued by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was on
> display yesterday at the Chino Band Review.
I'm sure Harvey's a great guy. Except for this little child-molesting issue.
What's the truth, Dave?