In 1950, Pope Pius XII selected Marche Pontificale from the OrganSymphony No. 1, by French composer Charles Gounod, as the officialhymn of the Vatican. The first rendition of the official hymn took placein the same year, in Saint Peter?s Square in Rome, played by sevenmilitary bands. To celebrate the 80th birthday of Pope Benedict XVI in2007, Wil van der Beek has produced a first-class arrangement of thisfamous work for concert band.