The title of this work, Enlightened City, is both literal and figurative. This piece was originally written for the one-hundreth anniversary of the Ithaca High School Orchestra, and is inspired by the glowing city lights that seem to appear from nowhere when driving at night towards Ithaca on Route 13. In a broader sense, the title may refer to any American city that is lit up at night. The title also refers to Ithaca being called "the most enlightened city in America" by Utne Reader magazine. Throughout the work, there are optimistic-sounding dance-like sections, but also others that are colorful and dark, counter-balancing the lighter, brighter moments.