Commissioned to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the state of West Virginia, Forever Free incorporates indigenous elements of the state’s musical heritage, capturing a robust and celebratory spirit. Cast in a single movement 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 that is based on thematic figures from the state song West Virginia 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 the buoyant and festive conclusion. Dur: 4:25