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.
Amidst all of the health issues I’ve had to deal with in my life, I never thought I’d have to deal with one this potentially serious.
This has been a month of mixed news so far. As the post title would indicate, I’ve completed a couple of commissions, been in the hospital a couple of times, and I’ve got a new single due to be released soon. First things first, though, we’ll cover the completed commissions.
The time for my cervical spine (a.k.a. neck) surgery rapidly approached, so I took advantage of it and made swift progress on two commissions, finishing both. That said, I would like to thank the two commissioners, Nick Robalik (“b-minor Breakdown”) and Steven Trinkl, Jr. (“Mike Alfa Charlie”) for engaging my services. I appreciate both of them very much!