“El Dia de los Muertos” is the seventh in my series of Prairie Trios.  Originally written for Esther Lamneck, the trio was originally performed by students at Macalester College.  The trio’s title was “discovered” the day before the first performance when I heard that my friend, Juanita Garciagodoy, had passed away.  Juanita and I had  often collaborated in celebrations of the “Days of the Dead” and thus appeared the title of the piece and of each movement.  “El Dia de los Muertos” opens with “Anuncio”, a sort of quiet announcement of Juanita’s passing.  The second movement, “Elegia”, speaks for itself.  After quiet thought it is time to dance with the dead in “Danza con los Muertos.”  Finally, “Memoria” is often translated as “to have memories.”  As it is in traditional Day-of-the-Dead celebrations, “El Dia de los Muertos” is mostly a joyful celebration of a life that has passed.