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 based on thematic figures from the state song"West Virginia Hills". A contrasting mid...