John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor, best known for his military marches, which school, professional, and military bands still play today. He served as Director of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/144">United States Marine Band</a>, based in Washington, DC, from 1880-1892. In 1883, Sousa directed the band in front of the Smithsonian Castle for the dedication of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/19">statue</a> of <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/349">Joseph Henry</a>. Sousa wrote the military march "The Transit of Venus March," for the occasion at the request of the Smithsonian Institution. The music played while dignitaries walked to a special receiving stand in front of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/52">Castle</a>. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=John+Philip+Sousa">John Philip Sousa</a> Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cph/item/2005676156/">View original image</a>. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1860-1889">1860-1889</a>