Northwest Passage is a set of "poetic landscapes" that reflects on three elements of the great Northwest of the United States-rivers, mountains, and prairies. Each sonic reflection (movement) combines to form a larger image, not unlike someone standing on a vista and seeing rivers, mountains, and prairies-each distinct, but part of one vast expanse.

The work is scored for two versions: mixed chorus and piano, or mixed chorus, wind quintet, and string quartet. The harmonic vocabulary of the work maintains an uncomplicated, transparent ("organic") approach in describing nature. The melodic vocabulary immediately pulls the listener's eye to the image, and rhythm is used as the underlying spark that is subtly ever changing and unpredictable. These three poetic landscapes should be performed without applause between movements.

1. A Willow by the River|William Carlos Williams was a medical practitioner, pediatrician, and an avid writer. He wrote short stories, novels, plays, c