Testament

In preparing to compose this piece I wrote the following poetic statement. It is both a prayer and a credo.

When I consider the darkness that we carry,
the pain we inflict – on those close to us, and on those we don’t even know,
the death we bring through rage, ignorance and indifference,
I say “Please God, help us to melt the rage into love,
And love into understanding and acceptance.

“When I consider a world where we are at each other’s mercy,
where evil can be done to anyone, by anyone, anywhere,
I say “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Teach us how to forgive; teach us how to be forgiven,
because it is not a simple business…

When I consider music, my center, my life,
the great harmonizer, the channel of living energy,
the open channel of the soul, God’s voice in each of us,
bringing souls all over the world to peaceful union,
a living past, a living present, a living future,
I say “How beautiful it is! How beautiful it is! How beautiful it is!”

Testament was commissioned by a consortium of high schools and universities headed by Joseph Grzybowski, Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, Hurst, Texas.