Commissioned by and written for the Georgia Music Educators District Ten Band Directors Association, "Savannah River Rhapsody" was premiered by the District's outstanding high school honor band in Augusta, Georgia, conducted by the composer. The Savannah River plays an enormous part in the lives, history, and commercial vitality of the region. The piece begins at the source of the river, in the southern Appalachians, with an introduction representing the grandeur of this ancient mountain range. As the music continues, it follows the river downstream, changing tonality and style with every river bend.