Tune in Today: John Philip Sousa’s Legacy

A valid history of American music must the composer John Philip Sousa, known as ‘The March King.’

The U.S. Marine Band in 1891, led by John Philip Sousa. Public Domain

The name now seems slightly faded, even fusty: John Philip Sousa. Old music from a distant era.

Don’t let that fool you. At one time, Sousa marches were the grandest, biggest, brightest and liveliest music in the country, and indeed the Western world.