UNITES STATES MARINE BAND CD Charles Ives, like his elder contemporary John Philip Sousa, was born and raised amid military quicksteps and medleys of patriotic songs. Both became skilled professional musicians in their early teens, yet while Sousa held steadfastly to the regularity of America's military pulse, Ives began to blaze the trail toward a uniquely American music. Beginning with the remarkable Variations on 'America'.