Forever Free

Commissioned to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the state of West Virginia, Forever Free incorporates indigenous elements of the states musical heritage, capturing a robust and celebratory spirit. Cast in a singlemovement in three sections,the title is inspired by the state motto, “Montani semper liberi” (“Mountaineeers forever free”). The work is unified at the outset and closing by a ceremonial fanfare based onthematic figures from the state song WestVirginia Hills. A contrasting middle section features a lyric variant accompanied by a militaristic snare drum and timpani cadence, before all thematic elements are combined for thebuoyant and festive conclusion.