Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words to America the Beautiful in 1893 upon an expedition to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado. The lyrics to Bates' poem were combined with a melody, written by Samuel Augustus Ward, in 1926. Together (melody and lyrics), America the Beautiful elicits patriotic thoughts and conjures all things that are truly beautiful about our great country while provoking us to continue to be a better nation.

Danielle Fisher arranged this edition of America the Beautiful for her longtime friend, Matthew Hiller. The intent was to provide an arrangement that can be playable by young musicians (beginners at the end of their first year), while still providing interesting harmonies and challenges for more experienced musicians. Additionally, select lyrics are added to an optional choral part to provide an opportunity for young wind and percussion musicians to collaborate with their vocal peers. The piece is meant to be performed at any concert, but is especially meaningful for a Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or Independence Day performance; the verse selected during the halftime section was picked purposefully to honors those that have served and sacrificed for our nation. — Program notes by Matthew Hiller