Jon Philip Sousa Jon Philip Sousa was born on November 6, 1854. His parents were Jon Antonio Sousa and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus. He was the third of ten children. He grew up with music. His father even played trombone in a military band. At only age six Sousa began the study of violin, voice, piano, flute, cornet, trombone and the alto horn. Jon Sousa enjoyed his studies of music. At age thirteen he tried running away to join a circus band. After finding him, his parents were so afraid that he would run away again that they sent him off to the military. While in the military he published his first composition called