Elegy 137

“Elegy 137” is a reflective and lyrical work for concert band, written in memory of the 137 lives lost during the Central Texas floods of July 4, 2025. Born in Travis County, the composer offers this piece as a tribute to the victims and their families. The music is built around two primary themes: The “Central Texas” theme — a solemn opening statement for solo trumpet, answered by solo euphonium in a “Taps”-like dialogue. The “Come to Me” theme — introduced in a powerful full‑brass declaration at fff, marking the transition into the work’s central section. The middle portion portrays the devastation of the flood through rushing woodwind lines and relentless percussion, culminating in a dramatic full‑ensemble restatement of the “Come to Me” theme. In the final third, the two themes merge, offering a sense of reflection and quiet resolve. The piece closes with two soft, high, dissonant notes — representing the two souls still lost to this day — supported by the “Come to Me” theme on timpani tuned an octave apart. Duration: 7:55 Difficulty: Grade 4 Instrumentation: Standard concert band