This is the first movement of a String Symphony in four movements entitled American Serenade. Each movement of this work has a descriptive title which attempts to paint a picture of America from a historical perspective allowing the listener to focus on broad images from our past. The four movements are: 1) Ode to the Plains and Wild Horses Running, 2) Gathering Storms, 3) Elegy for Fallen Heroes, 4) A Nation Rising. The movement presented in this publication 1. Ode to the Open Plains and Wild Horses Running, is drawn from the composer's love of American Folk Art, and specifically the paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt. The many large scale and colorful depictions of the untamed West by these great artists give a real feel for the rough hewn frontier life, and are the inspiration for this movement. The cliché of 'Wide Open Spaces,' and the 'Big Sky' are the images this music is meant to evoke as the soundtrack for whatever pictures or stories of America come to mind!