Wayne Leupold had approached me about a commission for a piece that would demonstrate a large organ. I decided that I wanted to create a five-movement organ symphony representing different regions of the United States. Thus, I related four movements to four families of tone and completed the work with a full-organ finale. I researched the musical styles and genres associated with these parts of our country and based the individual pieces on the regional styles. Thus, movement III is derived from Cajun fiddling patterns and movement IV is really Chicago blues, not just a work with a discernible blues influence. Optional dramatic readings accompany the five pieces, and movement IV has an optional part for mezzo soprano. The cycle is both an entertainment piece and a serious organ symphony.