The Great Lakes Duo (trumpet and organ) approached me about writing a piece for them. I was in the midst of writing an opera but I’ve always loved the sound of organ and trumpet so I said if they didn’t mind, I would like to adapt portions of my ballet, “Carmen, The Passion,” which I had written for the Winnipeg Ballet, to create a new work for the duo entitled “Spanish Rondo.” I alternated themes from the ballet with the initial music of the overture, thus using the rondo form. The trumpet is the ideal instrument for Spanish influenced music and the organ has the colors and registers of a full orchestra.