John Philip Sousa

Is it not the business of the conductor to convey to the public in its dramatic form the central idea of a…

— John Philip Sousa

I forsee a marked deterioration in American musicand a host of other injuries to music in its artistic manifestations, by virtue—or rather…

— John Philip Sousa

The movements which I make I cannot possibly repress because, at the time, I am actually the idea I am interpreting, and…

— John Philip Sousa

Anybody can write music of a sort. But touching the public heart is quite another thing.

— John Philip Sousa

There is one thing that freezes a musician more than the deadliest physical cold, and that is the spiritual chill of an…

— John Philip Sousa

Composers are the only people who can hear good music above bad sounds.

— John Philip Sousa

There is much modern music that is better adapted to a wind combination than to a string, although for obvious reasons originally…

— John Philip Sousa

Sincere composers believe in God.

— John Philip Sousa

My success is not due to any personal superiority over other people.

— John Philip Sousa

From childhood I was passionately fond of music and wanted to be a musician. I have no recollection of any real desire…

— John Philip Sousa

American teachers have one indisputable advantage over foreign ones; they understand the American temperament and can judge its unevenness, its lights and…

— John Philip Sousa