PRAIRIE DREAMS
An Orchestra Fantasie

by W. Brent Sawyer
completed (3-19-23)  (rev 3-25-23) 
approx. length: 12:20 minutes

This is the first movement of my PRAIRIE SYMPHONY.

This piece started out as a short simple melody that quickly was
created in my mind.  My challenge to myself was to compose a simplistic diatonic melody that doesn't venture much in the chromatic world. I then decided to orchestrate that 16 bar melody. I was so pleased with the sound of it, I kept going and created this Suite (or Fantasie). I came up with a few other melodies and they all weave in and out through the piece. It has an Americana feel yet also journeys a little ways into other popular genres.

Scored for:

3 Flutes (3rd doubles Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Bb Clarinets
2 Bassoon
1 Contrabassoon