John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa, "The March King", helped musicians obtain music rights and made American history with "The Stars and Stripes Forever" march ". Sousa is not considered by most modern people, yet musicians think of Sousa as a hero. Musicians can create a piece and not have to worry about the piece being stolen or misused by other people. Sousa also requested an instrument that would change the field of marching band. Sousa was a great band leader, a great musician and an important part of music history. Sousa was born on November 6, 1854 in a small place on 636 G Street in southeast Washington DC, near the Marine Barracks which would later have some influence on his music. (Sousa) His father played trombone in the Marine Band. Sousa was the third of ten children of John Antonio Sousa and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhous. Young Sousa grew up listening to military band music and when he was only 6 years old he began learning a variety of instruments, such as; violin and piano. He also played the flute, cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn. (Sousa)Sousa started in the Marine Band in a rather unique way. Sousa, thirsty for adventure, ran away from home and attempted to join a circus. While Sousa tried to have fun, his father didn't see it as a smart thing to do. Antonio, Sousa's father, enlisted te Sousa in the navy band, where he served as the band's apprentice. For all but six months, Sousa remained in the band until he was twenty. He began writing his most popular songs after leaving the band. In addition to his musical training, Sousa studied music theory and composition, to further his education and help teach students, with George Felix Benkert, who was a well-known Washington orchestra lea...... middle of paper.. ... .w in 1932, in Washington DC. Sousa was a distinguished guest, he rose from the table and took the baton from Captain Taylor Branson, the band's conductor, and led the band in "The Stars and Stripes Forever." That same year, after leading a Ringhold Band rehearsal in Reading, Pennsylvania, the seventy-seven-year-old Sousa died. The last song Sousa was rehearsing with the band was "The Stars and Stripes Forever". (Sousa)Sousa has not been forgotten, on December 9, 1939, the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge over the Anacostia River in Washington DC was dedicated to the memory of John Philip Sousa. In tribute to its seventeenth leader, in 1974, the Marine Band rededicated its historic band hall at the Marine Barracks as the "John Philip Sousa Band Hall". Overall, John Philip Sousa was a great band leader and a superb part of music history. (Sousa)