Written for the Regina Symphony Orchestra and their new Music Director Gordon Gerrard, Across the Grasslands is a fanfare that celebrates the prairies. Gordon Gerrard and I grew up in Manitoba and met and performed together as university students. The vast, terrifying and yet beautiful grasslands, shared by Manitoba and Saskatchewan is the context in which Gordon and I developed as musicians.
Beginning with drums and brass, the structure of the piece develops from an opening perfect fifth , through multiple varied build-ups, to a loud celebratory climax and finish. The piece depicts the extreme seasons, the large open spaces, the winds through the grasslands, the sudden shifts of weather on the prairies and alludes to two piano trios Gordon and I performed as students. The pitch material spells Gordon Gerrard’s name both in the overall structure of the piece and in individual motives. Gordon’s first name is interpreted as both and and his last name, Gerrard, as .
Since my first orchestral composition I have been inspired by my natural surroundings and my Métis and Prairie heritage. Although the prairie region is often overlooked I find it’s vast sky, extreme seasons and cultural diversity to be endlessly inspiring. I’m excited for this opportunity to write for the Regina Symphony Orchestra and to publically celebrate the grasslands, the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the city of Regina. -KS