From his office at the University of Minnesota, composer Dean Sorenson’s view overlooks the Mississippi River. The timeless beauty and power of the Mighty Mississippi is the inspiration for Bossa Corrente. In a river, current (“corrente” in Portuguese) refers to the flow of the water, and the composer captures the Mississippi’s never-ending, unyielding flow using distinctive melodies, rich counterpoint, and layered musical textures. These techniques, combined with a relaxed Bossa Nova groove, paint a picture of the Mississippi as its current cuts a swath from the forests of northern Minnesota to the Crescent City of New Orleans, Louisiana. The open solo section allows students to improvise using only the notes of the concert D Aeolian scale. A written suggested solo is also included.