Capitol Hill in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Strike Up the Band
Tour of Duty
— Barracks Row Heritage Trail —
If you are hearing the ringing tones of band music, one of the ensembles of the world-famous United States Marine Band may be practicing inside the Marine Barracks.
John Philip Sousa, the neighborhood’s most famous son, spent 19 years here. In 1868 Sousa’s Marine Bandsman father persuaded the 13-year- old to apprentice to the Marine Band instead of running away to join a circus band. Twelve years later Sousa was named leader of the Marine Band and was on his way to becoming the “March King,” composer of dozens of stirring marches that remain popular worldwide. During his director-ship (1880-1892), Sousa wrote Washington Post March and Semper Fidelis, among many others, and the band began the extraordinarily popular concert tours that continue to this day. The band’s renown spread even farther after it made one of the earliest phonograph recordings (1889) and helped pioneer live broadcast radio in the early 1920s. In 1931 the NBC radio network began a record-setting 29 years of broadcasting the Marine Band in “The Dream Hour.”
The Marine Band was established by an Act of Congress in 1798 and has played for every president beginning with John Adams. Thomas Jefferson dubbed it “The President’s Own.” During Jefferson’s tenure, the band recruited musicians from Italy, some of whom eventually settled in the neighborhood. Italian immigrants contributed music schools, bakeries, and other businesses.
The Marine Band, still stationed at the Barracks, remains the official White House musical ensemble. In 2002 its 140-plus members performed 800 times throughout the nation.
Erected 2004 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Military. In addition, it is included in the Barracks Row Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 38° 52.75′ N, 76° 59.71′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is at the intersection of 8th Street Southeast and I Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south on 8th Street Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 928 8th Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marine Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Change and Renewal (within shouting distance of this marker); Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Prout: Community Builder (about 500 feet away); "The President's Own" (about 500 feet away); The Paving Stone Archaeological Site / The L'Enfant Plan (about 700 feet away); Washington Navy Yard: Serving the Fleet (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Neighborhood For Everyone (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 10, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 2, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3, 4. submitted on July 10, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.