John Philip Sousa for Monty Python's Flying Circus), "The Thunderer" and "The Washington Post". Sousa began his career playing violin and studying music theory and composition under John Esputa and George Felix Benkert. His father enlisted him in the United States Marine Band as an apprentice in 1868. After departing the band in 1875, Sousa learned to conduct. From 1880 until his death, he focused exclusively on conducting and the writing of music. He eventually rejoined the Marine Band and served there for 12 years as director. On leaving the Marine Band, Sousa organized his own band. Sousa aided in the development of
The Liberty Bell (march) foot and a noticeably flatulent "splat" sound reminiscent of a whoopee cushion. (The first 13 episodes, however, used a "hiss.") At the end of the film "Monty Python: Live At The Hollywood Bowl," the entire march was played over the closing credits. "The Liberty Bell" was used by the Foot Guards before it became associated with the television series, after which they chose another march. Nevertheless, the march remains popular with British military bands. The Liberty Bell (march) "The Liberty Bell" (1893) is an American military march composed by John Philip Sousa. "The Liberty Bell" was written for Sousa's unfinished