Sacramento Valley Overture

SACRAMENTO VALLEY OVERTURE is dedicated to my great-great uncle Maurice Donald Taylor. As one of, if not THE most famous citizen Montrose PA has ever known, he was a musical icon to say the least. He single-handedly founded and developed the band program at Montrose High School, invented the band method book concept, and instilled his educator influence in me. The title of this work comes from a story he once told me. Being a religious man, he would never take the Lord's name in vain. As the beauty of the Sacramento Valley where he visited once was so profound to him, he would utter "Sac-ra-men-to Val-ley!" anytime he would become upset or overwhelmed with emotion! Thus, the title was born. Taylor passed away in Montrose, PA in November 2001. He was beloved by his family and his community. Numerous honors have been bestowed upon this great man over the years. As a close family relative, it was a great privilege to have known this wonderful musician. As a final tribute to his life's work, it is my honor to dedicate this piece to a man whose philosophy was to teach the basics in a way that kept things simple and easy to understand.