One of my pieces, "The Elm Tree", was commissioned by the Texas Choral Directors Association, and was premiered on July 31, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas, by the Middle School/Junior High Honor Choir.  The premiere was conducted by Dr. Judy Bowers from Florida State University.

The text is based on a poem entitled “October” (2003) by Joseph Crocker Corban (1918-2006) that was a gift from a neighbor, Joseph Corban's son. The poem consists of an elderly man's contemplation of life and its lessons, as revealed by "The Elm Tree," a special tree that was visible to Joe Corban from a porch where he sat for hours in the latter years of his life.

The lyricist's two sons, David Corban from Houston, Texas, and Bruce Corban from Orlinda, Tennessee attended the concert along with their families.