The Thompson Fields is the Maria Schneider Orchestra's first studio record in seven years. This record exemplifies Maria's compositional prowess. The pieces range from being descriptive of the open landscape of Maria's home in southwest Minnesota, to being inspired by the first time she heard a samba school rehearse in Rio. There's a piece inspired by the Birds of Paradise Project from Cornell University, and they recorded A Potter's Song, written in memory the beloved Laurie Frink.