D. Lee Jackson

New – Easy Access to My Music Videos!

Posted on 2026-08-01 Written by D. Lee Jackson Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for videos of my works for Band, Orchestra, or Chamber Ensembles, there’s a new easy access page on my website just for you!

I’ve set up a central page which will direct you to a pair of YouTube playlists, one for Band/Orchestra works, and another for Chamber Ensemble works. You’ll find a link to it at the end of this post. Scroll down until you see the “My Compositions on YouTube” box and click on it.

I’ll be updating the playlists as I release new works. Please check back occasionally to keep track.

Thanks for visiting!

My Compositions on YouTube

World Premiere Announcement – Elegy 137

Posted on 2026-07-03 Written by D. Lee Jackson Leave a Comment

I am honored to announce that the San Antonio Community Wind Ensemble (SACWE) will present the world premiere of my newest work, “Elegy 137,” on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., in the auditorium at Texas A&M University–San Antonio.

“Elegy 137” was written in memory of those who were lost during the devastating July 4th weekend flooding in Central Texas in 2025. At the time I wrote the work, 137 people lost their lives, with two people missing (some counts now list 139 deaths from the flooding). The tragedy struck close to home for me. I grew up in Austin, and many of my childhood days were spent in the countryside near Marble Falls — areas affected by the flooding. This work is dedicated to the memory of those lives, and to their friends and families, whose lives were forever changed by that weekend.

The premiere will be performed by SACWE, an ensemble whose musicianship and spirit make them uniquely suited to introduce this piece to the world. Their recent 10th anniversary concert, available on YouTube, showcases the ensemble’s exceptional blend, sensitivity, and energy. SACWE is part of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps’ umbrella organization, Crossmen Productions, Inc., a group with a long tradition of excellence. The ensemble brings together musicians from across the San Antonio metro area — students, educators, professionals, and lifelong players — forming a dynamic and passionate musical family whose collective voice reflects a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

I am deeply grateful to Mr. Albert Aguilar, SACWE’s Music Director, for agreeing to program “Elegy 137” and for granting permission to share this announcement. His leadership, vision, and trust are remarkable, and having SACWE premiere the work is an honor I value profoundly.

More details will be shared as the performance date approaches, including additional program information and recording availability. Please watch this space for further announcements.

If you are in the San Antonio area on October 25th, I warmly invite you to attend the premiere and join us for this special moment as “Elegy 137” is performed for the very first time.

P.S. – If you wish to support ongoing recovery efforts, please consider donating to the Central Texas Flood Recovery Fund. Thank you.

The Duets are Coming, the Duets are Coming!

Posted on 2026-04-29 Written by D. Lee Jackson Leave a Comment

November Calendar Way, way back in the ancient days of November, 1982, the person who would soon become my wife sat with me in a music practice cubicle in what used to be called the “New Music Building” on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. She had her French Horn out, while I had my bassoon out and was sitting near the room’s upright piano. Together, we came up with the crude beginnings of a piece of music that would be known during that day as the “Allegro Duet” for horn and bassoon.

Fast forward to the year 2023, a time skip of 41 years. I lay my hands on the music notation program known as Dorico Pro. As part of my learning process, I took the incomplete “Allegro Duet” and entered it into the program.

On occasions diverse, I would peck at the piece, tweaking notes sometimes, adding more notes at other times. This pattern would continue for approximately two years.

Make another skip with me to the year 2025, and the month of November, almost exactly 43 years after the beginnings of the work. I finally found the inspiration I needed to finish what was now known as the “November Duet.” A short while later, versions for a pair of Horns in F and for a Horn in F plus a Tuba would be added to the story.

Finally, on this 29th day of April, 2026, one of the pieces known as a “November Duet” would appear on the library of Cimarron Music Press, at last available for procurement! Surprisingly, it would be the version for two Horns in F that would see the light of day first, but the other two versions will be added most likely by the end of this week.

Here is the link to Cimarron’s posting of the two horns version:
https://www.cimarronmusic.com/novemberduethorn

You can also see the other works I’ve had published through Cimarron here;
https://dleejackson.lbjackson.com/music/music-published-through-cimarron-music-press/

“Tapper” Universe Short Story Online!

Posted on 2026-04-23 Written by D. Lee Jackson 2 Comments

Zilker Institute Logo A couple of weeks ago, I posted my novel, “Tapper,” online so that everyone could read it for free. Today, I’m releasing a short story from the “Tapper” Universe, called “Sergeant Marcos’s Rescue,” and likewise, I’m releasing it for free!

“Sergeant Marcos’s Rescue” is a prequel to the main “Tapper” story. It focuses on a member of the Houston Police Department in the late 2050s, as he attempts to rescue a mother and her son from a potentially deadly situation. But who is it that actually needs rescuing? You’ll know by the end of the story.

You will understand “Sergeant Marcos’s Rescue” better if you have already read “Tapper” first. That said, it’s not 100% required – if you jump in feet first, you should understand most of it without any problems. Still, reading the novel will help you grasp a couple of the important concepts – just sayin’.

So, with that, I urge you to read “Sergeant Marcos’s Rescue,” one way or another. I hope you enjoy it!

Here’s the link: “Sergeant Marcos’s Rescue”