I had the privilege to work with Mr. Jeff Harris and his choir, "The Sonoran Desert Chorale," on this composition.  I approached Mr. Harris about writing a song for his group.  I had heard that both he and his group were outstanding and I knew I wanted to write a piece for this caliber of a choir.  After a few

telephone conversations it was decided that I would write "The Desert Trilogy" for the Sonoran Desert Chorale.  "The Desert Trilogy" would be performed at a world premiere concert on May 6th, 2001, in Phoenix, Arizona.

      The WORK…As I started thinking about the text for this piece, I thought of the correlation between desert and life.  This would be quite fitting the "The

Sonoran DESERT Chorale."  I, too, have watched the desert bloom for a number of years,  The soil is so thirsty, the colors so grim...just a drop of water would quench the hungering earth.  It seems so much like a lost soul wavering until Christ comes into one's life.  The thirst quenched….longing for more.  You knew there was something more but could not identify it until the Lord Jesus Christ came into your life. 

      The MUSIC… How could I create this picturesque desert snapshot?  Innovatively, I thought of using the voice in ways other than singing.  This seemed to coincide perfectly with the text.  Like burning sun, the soul burns up without Christ and there are no sounds of life.  Singing comes in when the soul is brought to life through Christ.  The voices enter as whispers breaking the soil into songs of singing as the desert blooms into radiant colors. 

      The DIVINE...The compositions were complete and I had the opportunity to attend a few rehearsals with Mr. Harris and the Chorale.  During the second rehearsal when they were singing through "The Desert Trilogy," they were in the middle of the second movement and were singing along quite nicely (for only the second time) when all of the sudden Jeff put up his hands and shouted, "Stop! Stop! Did you hear that?  Those are the tones..the rush of tones that feed the soul."  Listen for the full lush chords that represent the desert blooming.

      The PERFORMANCE… "The Sonoran Desert Chorale," Mr. Jeff Harris, conductor, performed "The Desert Trilogy" at a world premiere concert on May 6th 2001, at the United Methodist Church of Phoenix, Arizona.  A stunning performance!

      My PATH… I am a composer creating my own path.  Daily, I pray about my text and music that God is glorified, souls come to know Jesus Christ and other are strengthened in their love and work for Christ.  May your heart also be like this desert.

"The Desert Trilogy" The Story