Ingolf Dahl's Sinfonietta is a piece modeled after the Serenade style and written in a broad arch form that spans its three movements. Dahl said of the piece, "First of all, I wanted it to be a piece that was full of size, a long piece, a substantial piece-a piece that, without apologies for its medium, would take its place alonside symphonic works of any other kind. But in addition, I hoped to make it a "light" piece. Something in the Serenade style, serenade "tone," and perhaps even form." Sinfonietta was commissioned by the College Band Directors National Association in 1961 and received its premiere in 1962 by the USC Wind Ensemble under the direction of William Schaefer.