Relentless was commissioned by the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and premiered in Lincoln, Nebraska by the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band on March 2, 2001. When I was initially contacted about this commission, I was given the discretion to write anything I wanted at any grade level. It was a wonderful opportunity, but it unfortunately left me with too many options! I found myself struggling to settle on a concept or approach for the piece. In the end, I found something new by turning to something oId. After listening to cassette tapes of pieces I had composed in high school, I discovered a tune that intrigued me. I removed the tune from its original setting and composed a new, abstract piece of music using the materials in that tune. Relentless is an intense, aggressive piece in sonata form. My intent was to create a work that maintains energy and excitement throughout, even through the silences!