Prayer

Prayer was written at the request of the Sacred Heart University (SHU) Concert Band and its director Keith Johnston and was premiered by them on March 24, 2013. The dedication reads "In memoriam, Newtown, CT, December 14, 2012". On December 14, 2012, 26 people 20 children and 6 adults had been shot in Newtown, CT, just a few miles from the university. The work was written for the band to play at the first memorial service for the lives lost. The music is a prayer which acknowledges the tragedy but turns towards consolation. "Prayer" is cast in one movement; the tempo is slow but never rigidly so. It begins with a single note on the chimes (or piano) and grows into a melody in G minor. Emotions prevail at first but gradually lead to contemplation, and the music shifts to B-flat major. Chimes, with their religious associations, are used throughout, but no specific religion is associated with the work.