An original four-movement suite written for the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra. 
 
The "Fertile Soil Suite" celebrates Iowa with original music inspired by unique aspects of the state, performed by Iowa's top jazz musicians.
Battleground - Inspired by Iowa's unique position as the first state to caucus in the U.S. Presidential primary season, and all of the choas and tension that comes with that
Ioway - Created with themes taken from field recordings of Native American Siouan people
Hog Heaven - Playing on the fact that nearly one-third of the nation's hogs are raised in Iowa
Flyover - Exploring feelings associated with often being overlooked, ignored, or underestimated as a state in the middle of the country
 
Through this project, Mike Conrad and the IJCO want to show people in Iowa and beyond that they don’t always need to look to New York City or Chicago for beautiful, high- quality, creative music. There are amazing artists and musicians doing incredible things right here.
The project is supported, in part, by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.