This short work is a quodlibet of sorts*, and quotes several well-known (at least in Texas) songs. (It might also be considered in some respects a “pastiche.”) It was written as a surprise tribute to Dr. Hector Aguero, Jr. and the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, an amateur orchestra in the southwest-Houston metro area. I worked with them (and also the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra, another amateur orchestra in the southeast Houston metro area) as composer-in-residence. My collaboration with Hector and the FBSO was definitely a highlight of my career, and also for my wife Annette, who donated her services as a pianist to the FBSO on occasion. We were and are firm believers in and supporters of the community orchestra concept; This work of 2011 was my way of saying “thank you” on behalf of both of us for the honour and pleasure of working with this very committed community orchestra and its fine conductor.

Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd