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Commemorating John Philip Sousa's 150th NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Performance Today host Fred Child about the life and music of John Philip Sousa. Sousa, often called the "March King," was born in Washington, D.C., 150 years ago Saturday.

Music Interviews

Commemorating John Philip Sousa's 150th

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Commemorating John Philip Sousa's 150th

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Music by John Philip Sousa

Moonlight on the Potomac Waltzes, for piano (or band)

Only Available in Archive Formats.

The Washington Post, march for band

Only Available in Archive Formats.

The Stars and Stripes Forever

Only Available in Archive Formats.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Performance Today host Fred Child about the life and music of John Philip Sousa, "the March King." Sousa was born in Washington, D.C., 150 years ago.

Sheet music for 'The Washington Post March,' written by Sousa in 1889. hide caption

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Sousa is perhaps best known for the march "Stars and Stripes Forever," but he also wrote waltzes and other classical pieces in addition to marches.

Another of Sousa's more famous tunes is "The Washington Post March" -- named after the oldest newspaper serving the nation's capital. What isn't widely known is that the newspaper commissioned Sousa to write the piece in 1889 to promote an essay contest it was sponsoring.