#JustReleased John Philip Sousa's Nobles of the Mystic Shrine John Philip Sousa, like many prominent musicians throughout history, was a member of a Masonic Lodge. He became a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Washington, D.C., in April 1922, and was promptly named the first honorary director of the Almas Temple Shrine Band. His nephew, A. R. Varela sponsored him, and asked him to compose this march. The new march saluted Shriners in general but was dedicated s