Composition

Notes

For Spangled Hearts Though For Spangled Hearts was written to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and for those that lost their lives directly related to that catastrophic and extraordinarily pungent day, the title of the first of three pieces, Are We Still Listening, poignantly does ask that very question as I take pause to acknowledge the passing of yet another victim who senselessly lost her life, Ms. Heather Heyer, in Charlottesville, VA on August 12, 2017. Just 12 days before I completed this work, Ms. Heyer was killed in a horrific act of hate. I dedicated this movement to her honor. There are no words to describe the continued acts of violence upon a society that as a whole is
trying to walk in a path of unity for future peace for our offspring in the efforts of preserving humanity. Are we still listening to each other is the question asked of us in this first piece. Do we want to understand the questions and concerns expressed by our neighbors next door to us, across the street, in a neighboring town, city, or state and as well, our neighboring countries, and if we want to, are we willing to try the first, second and third steps of those very brave questions that keep us in prolonged agony of
fear of the unknown?
Are We Still Listening repeats themes with determination that I hope will help encourage us to keep
trying.
Ship Paved in Tears—Having dared to listen for our neighbors’ cries, as suggested in the second piece
from For Spangled Hearts, entitled Do You Hear the Cries, the last piece in this set, Ship Paved in Tears, is written in hopes of our taking each of our neighbors’ hands and moving together towards our future peaceful existence no matter the resistance. As in the power of the ocean, we, as a community of this world, must strengthen to become as strong as the currents of the oceans so that we may experience the beauty of life as seen in the universe within our oceans.
The semi-ostinato in the cello is representative of the waves of the ocean as our ship rides the
difficulties and challenges that we face as we look ahead to a more harmonious existence.