That Dear Land of Rest

That Dear Land of Rest – Full Score

“Life is eternal, and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon.  And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.” -R.W. Raymond

Let us, for just a moment, consider the fact that music, and all arts, may not be the frosting of our lives, but the very foundation of our existence.

Let us consider that when we feel we are hollow, a shell incapable of feeling, doing, continuing – when we are crushed with the unfathomable weight of loss – we can come together and touch that which unites us all – the timeless, undeniable, universal need to sing.  To empty ourselves of the last drop of sorrow so that we can breathe, heal, and continue onward.

In this we are united not just by our humanity, but by those who have taught us to understand, those who have taught us to create, those who have taught us to be human.  We play and sing for them too, wherever they may be.

Being here, in this moment, making these sounds, remembering those that have gone before – this is what it is about.  In this moment we are dipping into the unending stream of life, standing on the very foundation of humanity, looking off into the distance to that dear land of rest, just out of sight.

Premiered May 8th, 2012 in memory of Steve Nedzel by the Lincoln-Way West Wind Ensemble, Cary Ruklic, conductor.