November's birthday musician is...
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Five Fast Facts About John Philip Sousa
1) Sousa was born in Washington D.C. His parents were both European immigrants and he had nine brothers and sisters.
2) He learned violin first, but eventually learned how to play most of the wind instruments too.
3) John played in the Marine Band for eight years as a young man before touring and working as the conductor of a theater orchestra.
4) Sousa soon returned to the Marine Band, but this time as conductor. He also composed many marches for the group, giving him the nickname "The March King".
5) In the 1890's, John Philip Sousa helped create a tuba that could be worn sitting down or standing up, allowing tubas to be use more in marching bands. This instrument is called the "sousaphone".
1) Sousa was born in Washington D.C. His parents were both European immigrants and he had nine brothers and sisters.
2) He learned violin first, but eventually learned how to play most of the wind instruments too.
3) John played in the Marine Band for eight years as a young man before touring and working as the conductor of a theater orchestra.
4) Sousa soon returned to the Marine Band, but this time as conductor. He also composed many marches for the group, giving him the nickname "The March King".
5) In the 1890's, John Philip Sousa helped create a tuba that could be worn sitting down or standing up, allowing tubas to be use more in marching bands. This instrument is called the "sousaphone".
This month, all grades will be listening to some of Sousa's famous marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Check out the video to the right to learn a little about the history of this song and hear "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band perform the piece. |
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