Which American composer is commonly known as the 'March King'?

Which American composer is commonly known as the 'March King'?

• A. George Gershwin
• B. John Philip Sousa
• C. Aaron Copland
• D. Philip Glass

Answer: (B)

The nickname "March King" comes from John Philip Sousa, who built a career around composing and conducting marches that became the standard repertoire for American bands. Sousa wrote dozens of enduring marches and led the U.S. Marine Band, helping to popularize the marching-band style and shape American musical life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His famous The Stars and Stripes Forever epitomizes the brisk, ceremonial character of American marches. The other composers listed are known for different contributions: Gershwin fused jazz with classical in works like Rhapsody in Blue and Broadway tunes, Copland wrote expansive American-themed orchestral pieces, and Glass is recognized for minimalist works with repeating motifs. So, the best answer is John Philip Sousa.