John Philip Sousa almost joined the circus

Sousa studied the piano and other instruments while still a teen, and he excelled at the violin. John was highly talented on the violin, which was the first instrument he learned when he began taking lessons at the age of 10, and the piano.

At the age of 13, due to his passion for music, he came close to joining the circus band, which would have required him to travel and provide the music for the performances. Fortunately, though, his father intervened and stopped what would have been a waste of his abilities. He was hired as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band when his father intervened. This is one of the interesting facts about John Philip Sousa.

Sousa remained a member of the band until he was 20 years old, with the exception of a six-month hiatus. Before being asked to lead the Marine Band at age 25, he went on tour with various bands. When he was the conductor, the band developed a stellar reputation.