The Marine Corp Band has proud traditions in Washington DC
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John Phillip Sousa Bridge
Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC is known worldwide for the famous residents that live and work along its path. Running diagonally across the District of Columbia, two of the three branches of the United States Government buzz with activity. After venturing east, beyond the White House and the United States Capitol, the avenue continues to dazzle as it crosses over the scenic Anacostia River. The bridge that crosses the river is the called the John Phillip Sousa Bridge. Who was John Phillip Sousa and why is the bridge named for him?
John Phillip Sousa was born on November 6th 1854 on G Street in Southwest Washington DC. John was the 3rd of 10 Sousa children. His father played trombone for the nearby Marine Corp Band. He learned a deep appreciation of music at a very young age. By the age of 6, young John was taking lessons on voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn. He quickly showed a profound understanding and talent with music. At age 13 John was enlisted as an apprentice musician in the United States Marine Corp Band which was located at the Marine Barracks Washington. He quickly climbed the ranks and became the leader of the Marine Corp Band on October 1st, 1880 at the age of 26.
John Philip Sousa was known as the March King for his musical prowess.
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Hailed as the “March King” Sousa flourished as the head of the United States Marine Corp Band. He led the band for 12 years, leading the President’s Own, serving under Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Cleveland, Arthur and Harrison. He conducted open air concerts at the White House, the Capitol, state dinners, and diplomatic receptions. Sousa resigned from his command in 1892 and started his own civilian concert band that he named Sousa’s New Band. The band gained extreme popularity and toured throughout the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Always loyal, John Philip Sousa left retirement during World War I to join the US Naval Reserve at the age of 62.
John Philip Sousa's popular marches are still played by the Marine Corp Band and many others today.
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Sousa is most remembered for his talents as a composer. His creative marches are heard throughout the world today. Most Americans associate his famous “Stars and Stripes Forever” with Independence Day but Sousa created much more than this famous tune. According to Marine Corp History, he composed over 100 marches, and 10 light operas. His most famous 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." Sousa also wrote three novels and an autobiography.
The Sousa gravesite is located at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC
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John Philip Sousa died March 6, 1932 and is buried at the Congressional Cemetery in Southeast Washington DC. His legacy lives on. The Marine Band dedicated its band hall as the John Philip Sousa Band Hall. A World War II liberty ship was named the S.S. John Philip Sousa. His “The Stars and Stripes Forever” march was designated as the national march of the United States in 1987. There is an annual tribute concert for John Philip Sousa at his gravesite at the Congressional Cemetery on November 6th.
The Sousa Bridge (background) crosses the Anacostia River with Anacostia Park to the east, and downtown Washington DC to the west.
NPS photo
On December 9th 1939 the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge over the Anacostia River was named in honor of him. The Sousa bridge is a major thoroughfare into and out of the city.
Sources
“John Philip Sousa | a Capitol Fourth | PBS.” PBS, 2018..
“John Philip Sousa: 10 Things You Don’t Know about the Man behind the Marches.” United Service Organizations, 20 Aug. 2017, www.uso.org/stories/2040-john-philip-sousa-10-things-you-don-t-know-about-the-man-behind-the-marches.
Lovrien, David. “A Brief Timeline of Sousa’s Life.” John Philip Sousa, 13 June 2012, sousamusic.com/biography/.
“Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > People > Who’s Who in Marine Corps History > Scannell - Upshur > John Philip Sousa.” Www.usmcu.edu, www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Whos-Who-in-Marine-Corps-History/Scannell-Upshur/John-Philip-Sousa/.
