Be Glad Then, America / U.S. Presidents Own Marine Band

Be Glad Then, America takes its title from William Schuman’s New England Triptych, which used as its point of departure the writing of William Billings, one of the grandfathers of American music. Two other repertoire pillars fill out the album, Persichetti’s "Psalm for Band" and Bennett’s "Symphonic Songs." Complementing these classic works are three world première recordings: the exuberant “For ‘The President’s Own’” by John Williams, a set of selected Charles Ives songs, and a transcription of the glorious final movement of Copland’s Third Symphony.