Honoring John Philip Sousa at Congressional Cemetery

The President's Own honors the March King

The drum major formally reports before the U.S. Marine Band launches into a brass tribute march beside John Philip Sousa's final resting place.

Marine Band Tribute at John Philip Sousa's Grave

The U.S. Marine Band performs during the ceremony at John Philip Sousa’s gravesite.

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Marine Band Performs at Sousa's Gravesite

Marine Band Plays National Anthem at Sousa's Gravesite

Honoring America's most iconic military musician

A Marine Band officer delivers opening remarks at Congressional Cemetery honoring John Philip Sousa on his 169th birthday.

Remembering America's Most Iconic Military Musician

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The Time John Philip Sousa Almost Ran Away to the Circus

At age 13, John Philip Sousa was recruited by a circus bandmaster to secretly join the circus troupe, but his father intervened and enlisted him as a Marine apprentice instead.

Sousa stepped away from military service to compose and conduct for civilian theaters, only to be tracked down five years later by the Commandant to lead the entire Marine Band.

From Young Apprentice to Director of the President's Own

The speaker shares a heartfelt tribute to the immigrant experience, connecting his own heritage as a Taiwanese-American to Sousa's immigrant roots.

The Meaning of Being Second-Generation American

The most famous piccolo solo ever written

A Marine Band piccolo soloist performs the virtuosic solo from The Stars and Stripes Forever directly in front of composer John Philip Sousa's gravestone.

Iconic Stars and Stripes Piccolo Solo at Sousa's Grave

The drum major formally reports completion before directing the band into a crisp cadence march through the historic cemetery.

Marine Band Dismissal and Cadence March Off

[01:51] Marine Band Tribute at John Philip Sousa's Grave
[05:39.500] Marine Band Performs at Sousa's Gravesite
[07:33] Remembering America's Most Iconic Military Musician
[09:48.000] The Time John Philip Sousa Almost Ran Away to the Circus
[10:51] From Young Apprentice to Director of the President's Own
[13:33] The Meaning of Being Second-Generation American
[17:38] Iconic Stars and Stripes Piccolo Solo at Sousa's Grave
[20:40] Marine Band Dismissal and Cadence March Off

Honoring John Philip Sousa at Congressional Cemetery

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