John Philip Sousa

"Remember always that the composer's pen is still mightier than the bow of the violinist in you lie all the possibilities of the creation of beauty."

"Grand opera is the most powerful of stage appeals and that almost entirely through the beauty of music."

"From childhood I was passionately fond of music and wanted to be a musician. I have no recollection of any real desire ever to be anything else."

"My religion lies in my composition."

"I had found English audiences highly satisfactory. They are the best listeners in the world. Perhaps the music-lovers of some of our larger cities equal the English, but I do not believe they can be surpassed in that respect."

"I have always believed that 98% of a student's progress is due to his own efforts, and 2% to his teacher."