Fuerza Negra (2021)

The term “fuerza negra” has a number of meanings in Spanish, two of which served as inspiration for Fuerza Negra. In addition to being used as a direct translation for the commissioning ensemble’s school mascot, the Northwestern State University Demons, another translation–“Black strength and energy”–also serves as the root of inspiration for this work as a humble tribute and show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fuerza Negra was commissioned by Dr. Oliver Molina and the Northwestern State University Percussion Ensemble

(Natchitoches, Louisiana) and premiered at PASIC 2021.