�I�m walkin� to New Orleans, I�m going to need two pairs of shoes. When I get through walkin� to you, when I get back to New Orleans.� � Fats Domino

Concert Notes Slidell was one of many towns in Louisiana that were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, where, this spring break, I helped reconstruct destroyed homes with Habitat for Humanity. In the summer of 2005, one of the worst natural disasters in American history hit the Southern United States seaboard, costing over a thousand lives and billions of dollars of damage. Reports say that there were 1,000 dead fish on the city streets of Slidell. Little more than half the population of New Orleans has returned. This string quartet is dedicated to those who continue to rebuild from the ruins.

Notes to the Performer This composition is in rondo (ABACA) form. The first theme that reappears again is a heroic, earthy celebration. The B Section (m. 36), is a more lyrical, romantic waltz, that can be played with much freedom of strict tempo. The C section (m. 78) is a soulful blues, so feel free to add whatever jazzy ornamentations you feel. Returning to the A theme at the end (m. 106), the piece concludes with �The Star Spangled Banner� and �O Canada� snippets, as well as a rousing coda.