John Philip Sousa (1854-1932); USA

John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) was an American composer and conductor born in Washington, D.C. The son of a musician in the United States Marine Band, he entered the Marine Band as an apprentice at thirteen and returned in 1880 as its director. During twelve years in that position he transformed the ensemble into a nationally prominent organization. In 1892 he formed his own civilian Sousa Band, which toured extensively in the United States and abroad.

Sousa became internationally famous as the preeminent American composer of marches, combining memorable melodies, brilliant scoring, and sharply defined rhythmic profiles. His best-known marches include The Stars and Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis, The Washington Post, and The Liberty Bell. He also composed operettas, suites, songs, and other works and wrote extensively for the concert band. The Stars and Stripes Forever was designated the national march of the United States in 1987.

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Read biography at allmusic.com.