The four pieces in Idaho Gems capture the spirit of this northwestern state. White Pine Waltz" begins with a delicate melody in 3/4 meter inspired by the majestic western white pine, Idaho's state tree. The piece builds to a climactic middle section featuring flowing arpeggios in both hands before subsiding into a restatement of the theme. The second piece, "Craters of the Moon, " paints a picture of the volcanic landscapes found in the national preserve of the same name. A repetitive chromatic figure in the lower register is combined with dissonant intervals in the upper register to capture the eerie otherworldliness of the park's lava fields. In "Snake River Rag, " chromatic passages wind their way across the keyboard, inspired by the Snake River's twisted path through the Idaho countryside. "Western Gem" provides a dynamic conclusion to the suite. The piece makes full use of the keyboard with block chords and scalar passages in both hands, while a modulation in the middle section provides an additional musical challenge.