At home … is the first full-length compact disc recording by The Ohio State University Symphonic Band. In addition to it being “a first,” this recording project represents a rich collaborative achievement. The enthusiasm for the project within our Music, Media and Enterprise program enabled us to record, edit, master and produce the entire recording on campus. The willingness of the conductors and musicians of our Women’s and Men’s Glee Clubs facilitated the inclusion of Symphony No. 8, and provided the memorable experience of more than 200 musicians engaged in the creation of musical art. The patience and cooperation of our concert audiences to facilitate the inclusion of live recordings was of tremendous assistance. As a project that spanned an entire academic year, the cooperation of the entire School of Music community in facilitating the five brief recording sessions was critical to its success. And the commitment of the musicians to honor the spirit of each composition and the process of commercial recording – a first for each of them – was pivotal. There is much for which to be thankful as this project comes to its completion. Andrew Boysen, Jr. is a composer who possesses deep integrity, honesty and soul — qualities that radiate from his compositions, conducting, teaching and life. While many are familiar with some of Andy’s music, there are many compositions in his catalog of more than 120 works for winds and percussion that have yet to be recorded. The majority of the compositions in this project are such works. My hope is that our recording both honors the communicative power of Andy’s craft, and compels others to consider new works from his catalog. The title of the disc – At home… – is a multi-faceted reference to the entire project. Those words are first in a line of prose by poet Wilfred Owen from which Symphony No. 8 was inspired. Additionally, the seven compositions in the project make strong reference to home, either literally (Tricycle, Song for My Children, Glimpse Through the Trees) or metaphorically (Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Symphony No. 8). Home is the place in which Andy composes — frequently in the early morning before his young children awaken. The recording also provides a glimpse into our Symphonic Band, our School of Music and our university … places that serve as a home for Ohio State students and faculty alike. The musicians of Symphonic Band and I are indebted to a number of individuals: School of Music faculty members Mark Rubinstein (recording engineer), Kristina MacMullen (associate director of choral activities) and Robert Ward (director of choral activities); the musicians of our Women’s and Men’s Glee Clubs; doctoral vocal students Regan Tackett and Mark Thress (Symphony No. 8); former conductors of the Ohio State Symphonic Band, Harvey Benstein and Richard Blatti; and all Ohio State faculty and staff who play such critical roles in the education of our students. To the musicians of Symphonic Band … I am grateful for our shared journey at Ohio State, and for the ways you honor that to which we are all called as stewards of Symphonic Band. Thank you for being both musicians and people of deep integrity, strong character and beautiful heart. — Scott A. Jones, conductor