Yeah Man, Totally! is inspired by the brilliant saxophonist and composer Niels Rosendahl, a phrase he often used, always accompanied by his trademark grin. The composer, Daryl McKenzie, first connected with Rosendahl at the University of North Texas, where they studied decades apart. Their friendship and mutual admiration continued through years of tertiary lecturing and performing together across a wide range of musical settings. When McKenzie was commissioned by the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (ABODA) to compose a new work for the South Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival 2025, the first thought for a title was one of Rosendahl's favourite expressions: "Yeah man, totally!"