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Birth
JP Sousa was born in Washington D.C., to a father who played trombone in the United States Marine Band. He was the 3rd of 10 children. -
Enlisted in the Marine Band as an apprentice
At the age of 13, JP Sousa attempted to run away to join a circus band. His father enlisted him as a band apprentice. He remained in the Marine Band until he was 20 years old. He studied theory with George Felix Benkert. -
Sousa discharged and began performing
Sousa began touring and performing on violin. He then began to conduct theatre orchestras, including Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore." -
Marriage to Jane van Middlesworth Bellis
After knowing each other for less than a year, Sousa wed his wife. -
Sousa returned to Washington D.C. to be the bandmaster for the US Marine Band
Over the next 2 years, Sousa conducted the "President's Own" United States Marine Band. He played under Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Cleveland, Arthur and Harrison. -
The Gladiator March was composed
This was the first major composition acclaimed by wind band conductors. -
Semper Fidelis is composed
Semper Fidelis, dedicated to 'The Officers and Marines of the Marine Corps," which later became known as the official march of the Marine Corp. -
Sousa's New Marine Band's First Concert
The Gladiator -Philip Jones BandAfter tours with the USMC Band in 1891 and 1892, Sousa resigned and started a professional civilian band. Just before the first concert, Patrick Gilmore of the famous Gilmore band passed away. Many of those musicians integrated into the Sousa Band over the next years. -
Stars and Stripes Forever was composed.
While vacationing in Europe, Sousa received word that his promoter and friend David Blakely died, and returned to America. On the trip home, he wrote his most famous work, Star and Stripes Forever. -
400 recordings of the Marine Band were available
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fxgSRbgHWzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Marine Band began recording in the early 1890s, making it one of first recording artists and popular music groups. -
Began touring with the Sousa Band
During the tour, the Sousa Band toured the U.S., Great Britain, Other Europe locations, and the Canary Islands. These tours lasted about 10 years. -
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Sousa Band Tours the world
The band toured the U.S., Great Britain, Europe, and the Canary Islands. -
JP Sousa testifies before Congress
Sousa testified before Congress regarding Music Education and composer's rights. -
Sousa conducts the Marine Band one last time
Sousa take the baton from the conductor, Captain Taylor Branson, and leads the Marine Band in Stars and Stripes forever. -
Sousa dies
After rehearsing the Ringgold Band in Reading, PA, Sousa passed away at the Lincoln Hotel.
