In 2005, Tony Granados approached me with the idea of arranging William Schuman's New England Triptych for the Triangle Youth Brass Band, which he conducts. I had always liked Chester a great deal, with it's driving rhythmic energy and polytonal interest, but I must admit I was not familiar with the other two pieces in the suite: Be Glad Then, America and When Jesus Wept. So, for me, it was an opportunity to get really up-close-and-personal with some great music I did not know well. I must say that I am now a fan of all three pieces - and particularly Be Glad Then, America.

The Schuman family was very gracious in allowing me to do the arrangements and to subsequently publish them (with the blessing of the Theodore Presser Company). After hearing a couple of performances of the piece, as well as performing Chester with the River City Brass Band and conducting the same with the River City Youth Brass Band, I am wholly convinced that the brass band medium is the perfect outlet for this great music. I feel the sonority of the brass band lends itself so well to projecting the intensity and passion of these hymntunes whose significance to Americans in the late Eighteenth Century cannot be overestimated.

• The New England Triptych is published by Drew Fennell Publishing.
  Available for Brass Band.

• Hear a short sample of Be Glad Then, America, When Jesus Wept and Chester by the New England Brass Band, Doug Yeo, Music Director, from the compact disc recording Be Glad Then, America [brass band version]*.

• Hear a short sample of Chester in a live performance by the River City Youth Brass Band, Drew Fennell, Conductor [brass band version]*.

• Hear a short sample of Be Glad Then, America, When Jesus Wept and Chester in a live performance by the Triangle Youth Brass Band, Tony Granados, Conductor [brass band version]*.