The title of this work is a reference to the type of coffee Caffé Americano. The popular telling of how the beverage became named is that American soldiers overseas during World War II asked for their espresso to be served more similar to their regular coffee back home. 

And in this way, Requiem Americano is an adaptation of the traditional requiem to include “flavors” of the United States through the inclusion of folk, popular, and nationalistic music. Using this common vernacular makes the work approachable without sacrificing the depth of the subject matter.

The nine movement piece is bookended by the Introit and closing Hymnus Ad Exequias Defuncti (from the mid-late 4th century by Prudentius.) And between them, each movement addresses different societal issues within the US, which are:

II. Kyrie: Civil War
III. Gradual, Tract: Social Isolation
IV. Dies Irae: Anti-immigration
V. Offertory: Hypercommercialism
VI. Sanctus: Gun Violence (School Shootings)
VII. Agnus Dei: Thoughts and Prayers
VIII. Libera me: Disproportionate Incarceration