Overview: In 1932, just after conducting “Stars and Stripes Forever” one last time, John Philip Sousa—the legendary “March King”—passed away in Reading, Pennsylvania. This article explores Sousa’s final days and the extraordinary life that led to them, from his immigrant roots and Marine Band leadership to his patriotic compositions that captured the soul of a … Continue reading Sousa’s Final Rehearsal: The March King and the Music That Shaped America