Jon Philip Sousa Jon Philip Sousa was born on November 6, 1854. His parents were Jon Antonio Sousa and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus. He was the third of ten children. He grew up with music. His father even played trombone in a military band. At only age six Sousa began the study of violin, voice, piano, flute, cornet, trombone and the alto horn. Jon Sousa enjoyed his studies of music. At age thirteen he tried running away to …
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…touring with his awesome band. He did great things in the name of music education and received many honorary awards and degrees. He also fought for composers' rights by testifying before Congress in 1927 and 1928. Sousa lived a long and extraordinary life. At age 77 he died after conducting a rehearsal of the Ringgold Band in Reading, Pennsylvania. The last piece he ever conducted and that he is widely known for is "The Stars and Stripes Forever".