Mystery of the Hills

Mystery of the Hills is an S.A.T.B. choral work describing the wonder of the Flint Hills, a region in East Central Kansas. I'm not a native Kansan, but whenever I drive through this area, I am enthralled by the infinite sense of expanse and gently rolling terrain. Geologists believe there was an inland seaway that covered central North America starting 290 million years ago. Over time, alternating layers of hard limestone and softer shale rocks formed. It is believed erosion caused the varied elevations of terrain, unique to the slopes of the Flint Hills. These surface layers of limestone and chert prevented the settler's ability to farm, which in turn preserved the integrity of the soil. Today, the prairie grasses can reach 10 feet tall if not managed. The rich grasses are prime for feeding livestock. This music attempts to provide images of traveling through the Flint Hills today, while imagining changes over eons of time, due to weather and eventually, human interaction. Generally, the upper voices provide the imagery and some history, while the lower voices describe a bedrock foundation. Describing the rock foundation found in the Flint Hills is also a metaphor for human strife and struggle as man, among living flora and fauna, interact with the area. The vocal ranges and harmonies are accessible for young ensembles, whether in development or with years of experience.