Description: John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 6, 1854. His father was born in Spain of Portuguese parents and his mother was Bavarian. His parents couldn't afford to send him to study music. Because of this he on his own learned to play the violin and studied harmony. He didn't go to college, but became a professional composer (began his career) at the age of 17. In his younger life he was in the marines. His band became famous before he did. He was one of the first Americans to compose an operetta. He and his band became famous all through Europe and America. He wrote 5 novels, one is The Fifth String, the name of his biography is titled Marching Along. He was honored wherever he traveled. In 1973 he was elected to be in the hall of fame of "Great Americans." His band made a triumphal world tour in 1910-1911.Sousa, known as the "March King," ranks among the most famous American composers and conductors. On December 25, 1896, he composed The Stars and Stripes Forever, the official march of the United States of America. Sousa was the inventor of the sousaphone. He died on March 6, 1932 in Reading, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

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