Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa
Many parades feature marching bands. The composer most often associated with band music is John Philip Sousa, who was also known as the March King. Sousa composed "The Stars and Stripes Forever" in 1897.

At the age of 13 he was apprenticed to the Marine Band, the official band of the president of the U.S. At the age of 18 he began to play the violin in theater orchestras. Appointed leader of the Marine Band in 1880, he resigned 12 years later to form his own band. Sousa's Band, as it was called, achieved great popularity during many tours of the U.S. and Europe.
