John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)

Music and Masons

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was Initiated Passed and Raised in Hiram Lodge No. 10 (now Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10), Washington, D.C. in 1881.

This webpage from Murat Shriners has an overview of John Philip Sousa’s involvement in Freemasonry.

John Philip Sousa composed some of the world’s best known marches. Here are some samples:

Stars And Stripes Forever – performed by the U.S. Marine Band:

Semper Fidelis – performed by the U.S. Marine Band:

Three of John Philip Sousa’s marches are identified as having Masonic origins: The Crusader (composed in 1888); The Thunderer (1889); Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (1923). Here are sample performances:

The Crusader – performed by the U.S. Marine Band:

 

The Thunderer (1889)- performed by the U.S. Marine Band::

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (1923) – performed by the U.S. Marine Band::

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (1923) – performed by the San Jose Wind Symphony:

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