Unequalled by his predecessors, John Philip Sousa is responsible for bringing the United States Marine Band to an unprecedented level of excellence: a standard upheld by every Marine Band Director since. Sousa grew up with the Marine Band, and his intimate knowledge of the band coupled with his great ability provided the ideal medium to showcase the marches which would earn him the title, the "March King."
As one of America's most famous and prolific composers, Sousa wrote 136 marches and dozens of other works including operettas, songs and suites. Some of his early performances with the U.S. Marine Band were originally recorded on wax cylinder, further establishing Sousa as a true musical pioneer. Watch Sousa conducting "The Royal Welch Fusiliers" on May 12, 1930 at the White House.
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Washington Post. March
Handwritten band music score for Stars and Stripes Forever. Completed in 1889.
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The Boy Scouts [of America]. March
Handwritten band music score for The Boy Scouts of America March. Completed on September 30, 1916.