Sousa

sooza, John Philip (1854-), an American composer and bandmaster. He was born in Washington, District of Columbia. His musical ability was so pronounced that he became leader of a band at the early age of seventeen. He was instrumental in the organization of the famous United States Marine Corps Band, and was its leader, 1880-92. Under his management the band made several concert tours in the larger European cities and won no little reputation for American band music. Mr. Sousa is the composer of a number of popular marches and other musical compositions. See Thomas; Theodore; Orchestra