The opportunity to feature a string quintet in my first composition recital gave me great joy. Though I did not know how to play strings very well, I still deeply admired music for strings and wanted to learn how to write well for them. This string quartet was a great development for my musical voice to explore timbre and texture in this composition.

It is an intentional choice that the first movement is in E major and the final is in D major. There is a very peculiar threshold which must be crossed in order to reach it. Be prepared for the form and style to bend in some unexpected ways.

Thank you to the members of the Lüsch quartet for playing my composition back then. Thank you to Vivian D’Amelio on violin I, Rachel Scott on violin II, Jensen Stanton on viola, and Matt McCullough on cello.

Thank you!

... to the University of St. Thomas for permitting us to rehearse in the Iverson Center for Faith and record in the Chapel of St. Thomas and in Baumgaertner Auditorium.

... to the faculty of the Basilica of Saint Mary for permitting us to record in the Basilica.

... to Paul Schulz for permitting us to record at his home during a pandemic.

... to Irene Domingo for teaching pronunciation for Y Dice el Pastorcico.

... to Dr. Sherstan Johnson and Jaclyn Schwartz for answering countless emails and fulfilling endless requests.

... to Joseph Ortiz for being an incredible and gracious director and editor for my 2021 Composition Recital. Your contribution has been crucial to the completion of this project. God bless you all your days and then some!