Music Of The Great Composers --

John Philip Sousa Mr. Sousa was born at Washington D.C., November 6, 1856. His father was of Portuguese origin. Sousa's earliest lessons in music were received from J. Esputa, and later he studied composition and harmony with G.F. Benkert. At the age of seventeen he was a conductor of an orchestra in a traveling theatrical company. In 1876 he joined the orchestra of Offenbach, which was then touring the country. In 1878 Sousa became director of the famous Philadelph..