Statue Becomes First National Landmark Honoring John Philip Sousa

Statue Becomes First National Landmark Honoring John Philip Sousa

Marine Barracks Washington and the U.S. Marine Band Will Unveil a Statue of 'The March King'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Marine Barracks Washington and "The President's Own" United States Marine Band will unveil an eight-foot bronze statue of John Philip Sousa at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, the last day of the famous composer's sesquicentennial (150) year. The statue, sculpted by renowned artist Terry Jones, is the first landmark dedicated to Sousa. It will be revealed during a ceremony at the Marine Barracks Annex and Band Support Facility located at 600 Virginia Avenue in southeast Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public.

"The concept I had for the John Philip Sousa statue was to make the statue as monumental as his music," sculptor Terry Jones said.

John Philip Sousa was born Nov. 6, 1854, at 636 G Street in southeast Washington, D.C., near Marine Barracks Washington where his father, Antonio, was a musician in the Marine Band. In 1880, 25-year-old Sousa was appointed Director of "The President's Own," a post he held for 12 years. During his tenure with the Marine Band, Sousa composed some of America's most well known music, including the national march of the United States, "The Stars and Stripes Forever"; "Semper Fidelis," the official march of the United States Marine Corps; and "Washington Post." A time capsule, which included historical recordings of these marches, was placed inside the statue base. Complete biographical information on Sousa can be found at http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/learning_tools/our_history/john_sousa.htm.

The Marine Band worked closely with Jones to ensure accuracy of the detailed Marine Band uniform and Sousa's physical characteristics. The statue, which took Jones eight months to sculpt, was bronzed at the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa. He has sculpted statues of other historic American figures, including Ernest Hemingway, which stands in Key West, Fla., and General John Gibbon for Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa. Funding for the Sousa statue was provided by The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, private donor Mickey Gordon, and the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

The following representatives are available for interviews:

* John Philip Sousa IV, special guest
* Terry Jones, sculptor
* Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Colburn, Director, U.S. Marine Band
* Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael Ressler, Chief Librarian and Historian,
U.S. Marine Band

All media attending the unveiling are asked to RSVP to Marine Band Public Affairs at (202) 433-5814 or USMBPAO@mbw.usmc.mil.

About the United States Marine Band

The Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. President since John Adams. Given the title "The President's Own" by Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band's primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Note: Photographs Available

CONTACT: Marine Band Public Affairs Office, +1-202-433-5814, USMBPAO@mbw.usmc.mil.

Source: "The President's Own" United States Marine Band

CONTACT: Marine Band Public Affairs Office, +1-202-433-5814,
USMBPAO@mbw.usmc.mil

Web site: http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/

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