Commissioned and premiered by the Rainer Symphony Orchestra. Joseph Pollard White, conductor

Orchestra — 17’45”

This work was commissioned by the City of Kent, Washington in celebration of their Centennial and was written specifically for their community orchestra, the Rainier Symphony Orchestra.  Because this was a commission using community funds, the city was fairly specific as to the type of work they wanted.  The work was to be “festive, uplifting, and accessible to the general public, celebrating the settlement of the valley and the city.”  While it is not a program work, the piece does attempt to reflect the strength and diversity of a community moving by generations toward a common goal.  It does this musically as a series of four preludes followed by a rondo.  Although each prelude has a different character, they are designed to lead to the rondo theme - with the pitches D, E, Bb, A, and G – through small motives built on 2 or 3 notes.  The rondo theme is then punctuated with episodes that draw on material from the preludes and is finally overtaken by a chorale from the first prelude.  The coda closes the piece with treated material from throughout the work.