PDF Parts and Score 4 mvts This work was composed and dedicated to American civil rights hero, Dolores Huerta. Dolores, AmeriCan: Symphony for Band was commissioned by Dr. Saul Torres and the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley Wind Ensemble for their premiere performance at the Texas Music Educators Association meeting in San Antonio, 2023. Born in Dawson, New Mexico (1930), Dolores Huerta lives a life of service as an organizer and activist. A hero to many, she has fought for women’s rights and liberation, non-violence, immigrant rights, underserved communities, among many other causes. In 2012, President Obama awarded Dolores with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian recognition in the United States. A trailblazer for social justice, alongside Cesar Chavez, she founded the National Farm Workers Association (1962). Despite ethnic and gender discrimination, Dolores Huerta is one of the most influential civil rights activists of the 20th century and continues to be an example of service and good will. Most of this wok is inspired by a documentary dedicated to Ms. Huerta and produced in 2017. The documentary is biographical in nature. The first movement was inspired by a sentiment felt by many immigrants in the United States. Many feel the sense of not being American enough, partly because of the color of their skin, their last name, or their country of origin. Dolores, in an interview, expressed this same sentiment. The movement explores these feelings with strong harmonic textures and energy, and by quoting the Star Spangled Banner. In this same interview, she was asked what her interests were, outside of her current activism. She mentioned that she loved to dance. The second movement highlights her enthusiasm for dance, music, movement and creativity. Dolores lives a life of service, a life dedicated to her fight for equity, striving to provide opportunities for power to be given to the powerless. The third movement provides a soundtrack to these efforts. ¡Sí Se Puede! is the popular quote that Ms. Huerta coined to help encourage and inspire a community of organizers, workers and civil rights activitists. This phrase, “yes we can,” has inspired a nation to fight for equality and equity. The final movement, with rhythmic hints of this popular phrase, also serves as a bold sountrack, paying homage to her efforts. Ms. Huerta, our world is better because of you. Thank you!.

Grade 3, composed for the Cal State Fullerton University Winds. Highlights my love for water and nature. The Chavon River is located in the Dominican Republic, close to the final resting place of my mother, Carrie.

Grade 3, commissioned by CBDA (California), and written for my mother who passed last year. The work outlines a single musical motif, a 3-note motif that my mom would whistle to gather her kids, bring them home.

Grade 4, composed for the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble and premiered on their Costarican tour. Highlights their beautiful national song, “Somos Ticos.” PDF Score and Parts.

Advanced, 7 minutes long, PDF Parts Semi-finalist in the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band composition contest. Like the very popular linguistic combination of Spanish and English, this work explores a hybrid of musical styles and genres. Spanglish celebrates the beautiful marrige of styles between Caribbean, African, and the American blues. Spanglish is spoken throughout the world, in baseball fields, university campuses, and homes like mine. The Spanglish language is beautiful and works as an expression of unity, finding what is best in all of us, community, respect, and diversity.

Premiered by the Allen High School Wind Ensemble at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Grade 5, 4 minutes long with room for vamping and improvisation. The music of Cuba is diverse, electric, transformative, soulful, elegant and energetic. Highly influenced by its African and European roots, Cuban music celebrates the soul and ingenuity of a nation. Timba sets to celebrate the rich musical traditions of Cuba, starting and ending in the Bembé style. The work also celebrates the Cuban timba, a genre of music rooting from the son and salsa. Music unites us, it elevates us. Music liberates us! PDF Parts and Score

César Chávez (1927-1993) was a Mexican-American civil rights activist and leader. Chávez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, alongside Dolores Huerta. His enduring fight for equal rights and humane working conditions led the way for a nation-wide revolution. Among many recognitions, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1994). This work explores quotes attributed to César Chávez. These quotes have endured time and paint a powerful picture into the mind of a father, husband, leader, activist, a revolutionary and American. Each section of this work is represented by the following quotes: “There’s no turning back…we will win. We are winning because ours is a revolution of the mind and heart” “We draw our strength from the despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.” “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.” “Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other culture.” “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community.” Reflections, hunger “History will judge societies and governments, not by how big they are or how well they serve the rich and powerful, but by how effectively they respond to the needs of the poor and the helpless.” “Si, se puede!” Yes we can! – D. Huerta “True worth is not measured in money or status or power. It is measured in the legacy we leave behind for those we love and those we inspire.”

(ca. 12 minutes, ADVANCED, PDF Parts) Danzas takes a journey through the colorful and unique musical traditions in Cuban folklore. Heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban heritage and diaspora, this work sets to celebrate and honor its rich music history. This collage of styles starts its tribute with a musical tradition that began in West Africa and migrated to Cuba, the Bembé. The Bembé is tranditionally in 6/8 and was introduced to the world by the Yorùbá people. This work quickly travels through other important folkloric fusions, such as the songo, a section inspired by colonial Cuba, and a dream-like son, or song and hints of fusion rhumba. This work is dedicated to my Cuban grandparents, Ireneo and Onelia Santos. Danzas was premiered by the Florida State Wind Orchestra and conducted by the composer, Giovanni Santos.

For 6 Trumpets and Wind Ensemble (advanced), PDF

Miniatures is a suite of ten short works for wind and percussion. Each movement tells a story or creates a mood. Each one of these little vignettes is dedicated to special people in my life, a source of great inspiration and gratitude. (2020) *PDF set

Composed and dedicated to Teresa Moura.

For Beginning Band (PDF)

PDF Score and Parts

for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Trumpet in Bb, Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Marimba, Snare drum. Substitute parts upon request.

PDF Score and Parts

PDF Score and Parts

PDF Score and Parts

PDF Score and Parts

4 trumpets in Bb and tenor drum