The American Bandmasters Association, founded in 1929, with John Philip Sousa as Honorary Life President, recognizes outstanding achievement on the part of Concert Band conductors and composers. The current membership (invitational) comprises approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the USA and Canada, and 70 Associate Members (music businesses and corporations that provide significant services to bands and to the publication of band music.)

The ABA Commemorative Recording Project began in 2012 as a project of and by the Associate Membership in service to the organization.

Special Thanks and Acknowledgements to the team that launched this series:

Leon and Joseph Galison- EF Kalmus Music / Klavier Records, Mark Morette- Mark Custom Recording, Bruce Leek- Mastering Engineer, Loras Schissel, United States Library of Congress, Jeni Paulson, Paula Crider, Timothy Rhea, Scott Casagrande, Dick Clardy, John Whitwell, Gary Smith, Jim Copenhaver, and Lowell Graham.