Main Content

The United States Marine Band: John Philip Sousa

Copyright © White House Historical Association. All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for reprint permissions should be addressed to books@whha.org

Gallery

  • The United States Marine Band: Presidential Polonaise

    1 of 3

    At the request of President Chester Arthur, who believed Hail to the Chief undignified, John Philip Sousa played his own Presidential Polonaise (1866) for a brief period as the presidential march.

    United States Marine Band

    Show Me More

  • John Philip Sousa portrait

    2 of 3

    John Philip Sousa's father Antonio, a Marine Band trombonist, enlisted his 13-year-old son in the organization as an apprentice musician. At age 20, John Philip Sousa left the band to tour the country as a violinist and orchestra director and returned as age 25 to become Marine Band Director.

    Library of Congress

    Show Me More

  • Chester A. Arthur, White House Collection

    3 of 3

    President Chester Arthur once asked John Philip Sousa to perform a Spanish dance tune called the cachucha. When Sousa noted that it was not part of the Marine Band's repertoire, the president responded, "Why Sousa, I thought you could play anything." A bandsman remembered the melody, and Sousa hastily wrote out several parts for the leading instruments and played the tune to the satisfaction of the president.

    White House Historical Association/White House Collection

John Philip Sousa, Director (1880-1892), brought world fame to "The President's Own." While the organization was already considered a national institution, Sousa's dynamic leadership transformed the Marine Band's repertoire, emphasized symphonic music, changed the instrumentation, and made rehearsals exceptionally strict. He conducted the band's first sound recordings, initiated its first national concert tour, and began to write the marches that earned him international acclaim and the title "The March King." Sousa continued composing and conducting until his death in 1932. He left America a treasured musical legacy of marches that, as columnist Hugh Sidey noted, ". . . say more about liberty than a dozen orators."

More on the United States Marine Band

Share

Related

Related
Next Blair House: The President’s Guest House

You Might Also Like

  • Collection

    The 2023 White House Christmas Ornament

    Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament. These unique collectibles — honoring individual presidents or specific White House anniversaries — have become part of the holiday tradition for millions of American families. In this collection, explore the history behind our 2023 design & learn more about President Gerald R. Ford. Buy

  • Podcast

    The History of Wine and the White House

    Featuring Frederick J. Ryan, author of “Wine and the White House: A History" and member of the White House Historical Association’s National Council on White House History

  • Collection

    The Johnson White House 1963 - 1969

    On November 22, 1963, about two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson took the Oath of Office, becoming the thirty-sixth President of the United States. Prior to serving as vice president, Johnson had represented his home state of Texas for more than twenty years in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. As

  • Podcast

    Freemasons and the White House

    Featuring Jason Van Dyke, Director of Communications, Grand Lodge of Washington, DC, and Chris Ruli, Historian & Librarian, Grand Lodge of Washington, DC

  • Collection

    Olympic Celebrations

    Honoring some of the greatest moments in sports history has become a tradition at the White House. Presidents and their families have long recognized athletes as well as the cooperation, competition, and national pride displayed during the summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Over the years, this has taken on a variety of forms from opening the games to

  • Podcast

    A Discussion with the Voices of Lafayette Park

    Featuring Hilary West, Executive Director for Federal Government Relations at JPMorgan Chase, and Royce L. Dickerson, MBA Candidate at the University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business

  • Collection

    The 2021 White House Christmas Ornament

    Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament. These unique collectibles — honoring individual presidents or specific White House anniversaries — have become part of the holiday tradition for millions of American families. In this collection, explore the history behind our 2021 design and learn more about President Lyndon B. Johnson.Buy