Anthracite was commissioned by the Schuylkill County (PA) Band Association, Matt Tenaglia president. The piece was written for the annual honors band and is inspired by the region’s long history of coal mining. This area of Pennsylvania is known as the Anthracite Region, taking its name from the specific variety of coal that is unique to this area of the eastern part of the state. The music is evocative of the hard-working quality of the people that perform the strenuous and often hazardous work of mining. The people who work in this industry contend with the dangers of soot inhalation, mine collapses, and other daily threats to life and limb. Anthracite is written as a tribute to all who work the mines.