List of marches by John Philip Sousa

For a complete list of compositions, see List of compositions by John Philip Sousa.

John Philip Sousa seated at a desk and looking at "The Invincible Eagle March" sheet music
Sousa holding a copy of the sheet music for his march "The Invincible Eagle"

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches.[1] He composed 136 marches from 1873 until his death in 1932.[a][2] He derived few of his marches from his other musical compositions such as melodies and operettas. "The Stars and Stripes Forever" is considered Sousa's most famous composition.[3] A British journalist named Sousa "The March King", in comparison to "The Waltz King" — Johann Strauss II.[4] However, not all of Sousa's marches had the same level of public appeal.[2] Some of his early marches are lesser known and rarely performed.[2] He composed marches for several American universities, including the universities of Minnesota,[5] Illinois (now known as University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign),[6] Nebraska,[7] Kansas,[8] Marquette,[9] and the Pennsylvania Military College (now known as Widener University). He served as leader of the Marine Band from 1880 to 1892, and performed at the inaugural balls of President James A. Garfield and Benjamin Harrison.[10]

In 1987, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" was made the national march of the United States, by an act of Congress.[11] The "U.S. Field Artillery" is the official march of the United States Army. After leaving the Marine Band, he formed a civilian band and went on many tours in the subsequent 39 years.[12] He died on March 6, 1932, at the age of 77, leaving his last march "Library of Congress" unfinished.[13]

  1. ^ "John Philip Sousa | Biography, Marches, & Semper Fidelis | Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Bierley 1984, p. 37.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "John Philip Sousa". United States Marine Band. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Minnesota March". University of Minnesota Marching Band. University of Minnesota School of Music. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  6. ^ Frank, Brendan. "The Legacy of Illinois Bands". Illinois Bands. College of Fine and Applied Arts – University of Illinois. Archived from the original on 12 May 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Sousa writes special march for Nebraska". The Daily Nebraskan. 22 February 1928. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  8. ^ "History – Kansas State University Marching Band". Kansas State University Marching Band. Kansas State University Bands. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Student Organizations – Band". Marquette University. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Image 10 of Inaugural Ball Program, March 4, 1881". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "John Philip Sousa". United States Marine Band. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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