Intertribal Life Newspaper -

Brian Nixon

In 2006, John Michael Luther received a request from Doyle Prehiem (center) to write an original composition for the Sangre de Cristo Chorale. Native flutist, Ronald Roybal (right), first proposed the theme of "The Song of Blue Water." John and Ronald were discussing various topics for a new composition, when Mr. Roybal said, 'You should write a piece about Esther Martinez. She's a storyteller from the San Juan Pueblo. She recently died in a tragic car accident, the result of a drunk driver.'" That's how John came to write this composition.