A major work for concert band, the Third Symphony was commissioned by the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. Barnes began to work on this composition shortly after the death of his baby daughter, Natalie. As the composer states: "This is the most emotionally draining work I have ever composed." The work travels through a myriad of emotions from deep despair to ultimate joy. The third movement represents what life would have been like had his daughter lived. It is a farewell to her. The final movement, based on an old Lutheran Hymn I Am Jesus' Little Lamb, represents a rebirth of the human spirit and reconciliation. --James Huff 04:54, 18 May 2009 (UTC) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)