John Philip Sousa Quotes

To the average mind popular music would mean compositions vulgarly conceived and commonplace in their treatment. That is absolutely false. - 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 unresponsive audience! - 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 scored for an orchestra. If in such cases the interpretation is equal to the composition the balance of a wind combination is more satisfying. - John Philip Sousa

The office of President is a great one; to every true American it seems the greatest on earth. And to me, as I was engaged in weaving a background of music for the pageantry of it, there came a deeper realization of the effect of that office on the man. - 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 naturally I picture my players and auditors as in accord with me. I know, of course, that my mannerisms have been widely discussed. - John Philip Sousa

The average music-lover hears only the production under prevailing conditions. - John Philip Sousa

Sincere composers believe in God. - John Philip Sousa

Remember always that the composer's pen is still mightier than the bow of the violinist; in you lie all the possibilities of the creation of beauty. - John Philip Sousa

No nation as young as America can be expected to become immediately a power in the arts. - John Philip Sousa

My success is not due to any personal superiority over other people. - John Philip Sousa

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