Darius Milhaud was commissioned to compose a work especially for the West Point Sesquicentennial celebration marking 150 years of progress at the United States Military Academy. Accepting the invitation Milhaudvisited West Point in the fall of 1951 to acquire the necessary information and atmosphere for such a work. His West Point Suite was first performed by the United States Military Academy Band conducted by MajorFrancis E. Resta Commanding Officer and Director of Music in Carnegie Hall New York on January 5 1952.
