Perhaps more than anyone else, John Philip Sousa is responsible for bringing the United States Marine Band to an unprecedented level of excellence: a standard upheld by every Director since. Sousa grew up with the Marine Band, and his intimate knowledge of the group coupled with his great ability, provided the ideal medium to showcase the marches that would earn him the title, "The March King."

The Marine Band gave Sousa his first experience conducting a military band, and he approached musical matters unlike most of his predecessors. He replaced much of the music in the library with symphonic transcriptions and changed the instrumentation to meet his needs. Rehearsals became exceptionally strict, and he shaped his musicians into the country's premier military band. Marine Band concerts began to attract discriminating audiences, and the band's reputation began to spread.

Sousa first received acclaim in military band circles with the writing of his march "The Gladiator" in 1886. From that time on he received ever-increasing attention and respect as a composer. In 1888, he wrote "Semper Fidelis." Dedicated to "the officers and men of the Marine Corps," it is traditionally known as the "official" march of the Marine Corps and was considered by Sousa himself to be his finest composition.

In 1889, Sousa wrote "The Washington Post" march to promote an essay contest sponsored by the newspaper. The march was soon adapted and identified with the new dance called the two-step. "The Washington Post" became the most popular tune in America and Europe, and critical response was overwhelming. A British band journalist remarked that since Johann Strauss, Jr. was called "The Waltz King," American bandmaster Sousa should be called "The March King." With this suggestion, Sousa's regal title was coined and has remained since.

Under Sousa the Marine Band also made its first recordings. The phonograph was a relatively new invention, and the Columbia Phonograph Company sought a military band to record. The Marine Band was chosen, and 60 cylinders were released in the fall of 1890. Within two years, well over 200 Marine Band cylinders were released, placing Sousa's marches among the first and most popular pieces ever recorded.

The immense popularity of the Marine Band made Sousa anxious to take his Marine Band on tour, and in 1891 President Harrison gave official sanction for the first Marine Band tour, a tradition which has continued annually since that time except in times of war.

In a fitting tribute to its 17^th leader, the Marine Band rededicated its historic band hall at Marine Barracks as "John Philip Sousa Band Hall" in 1974. In addition, the bell from the SS John Philip Sousa, a World War II Liberty Ship, resides there.

In perhaps the most significant tribute to Sousa's influence on American culture, the U.S. Congress passed legislation in December 1987 designating "The Stars and Stripes Forever" as the National March of the United States. Audiences worldwide never seem to tire of its melodies and rhythms, and it is without a doubt the most frequently requested encore in the Marine Band's repertoire