This moving setting of Shenandoah contains a variety of musical styles: an opening fanfare, a beautiful chorale setting, a short fugal variation and a grandiose maestoso ending. It was arranged with much sensitivity and respect for John P. Paynter, who devoted his life to furthering the importance of band music internationally. Commissioned by the John P. Paynter Foundation, this work was performed by thousands of school and community bands simultaneously on July 4, 2000 and throughout the year 2000 in his memory.