|
John Philip Sousa
John Phillip Sousa was born
in 1854, in Washington D.C., before the Civil War. He is one of America's most
famous composers. When you hear a band play during a parade
on the Fourth of July, you can almost be certain the music was
composed by Sousa. Many of his pieces have a strong rhythm
you can march to. That is why they are called marches, and
Sousa is often referred to as the March King. When he was
only thirteen he was a member of the United States Marine Corp
Band. Later he became its leader and made it one of the
finest bands in the entire world.
John Phillip Sousa wrote
many other kinds of music, but marches like "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and "Semper Fidelis" are the music
that made him renowned.
His music has become part of
the tradition of our country, and he is famous throughout the
world. Sousa once said, " I consider myself a truly
American composer."
The next time you hear a
band on the Fourth of July, think of John Philip Sousa, the March
King.
|
