Quiet Shadows - Composer Notes

Quiet Shadows for solo instrument is my musical portrayal of a soldier alone but with others on guard duty in Vietnam.

Guard duty began late in the afternoon while it was still daylight. I recall one particular duty that began as always. First, I would arrive at my post and start inspecting my surroundings to become familiar with the jungle growth in front of the bunker before night.  

However, this bunker was situated near a very strangely-shaped tree, which I immediately sensed would fool me later into mistaking it for an enemy soldier. I tried to memorize its' shape, but, sure enough, when night fell, I knew that the tree trunk was the enemy. My apprehension overcame me, and I contemplated shooting up a flare to warn others. I realized that it was That tree. Rather than calming my fears, I thought about how much I missed home and continued to perceive other shapes as dangers in the darkness, which in the morning daylight proved only to be natural growths of nature in the jungle surroundings.  

I felt rather foolish until I shared my experience with the other soldier on duty that night. However, most confessed to having had the same thoughts that I did about home and about what might be out there in front of us.

Quiet Shadows for an instrumental quartet is my musical portrayal of four soldiers on guard duty in Vietnam.

Guard duty began late in the afternoon while it was still daylight. I recall one particular duty that began as always. First, I would arrive at my post and start inspecting my surroundings to become familiar with the jungle growth in front of the bunker before night.  

However, this bunker was situated near a very strangely-shaped tree, which I immediately sensed would fool me later into mistaking it for an enemy soldier. I tried to memorize its' shape, but, sure enough, when night fell, I knew that the tree trunk was the enemy. My apprehension overcame me, and I contemplated shooting up a flare to warn others. I realized that it was That tree. Rather than calming my fears, I thought about how much I missed home and continued to perceive other shapes as dangers in the darkness, which in the morning daylight proved only to be natural growths of nature in the jungle surroundings.  

I felt rather foolish until I shared my experience with the other soldiers on duty that night. However, most confessed to having had the same thoughts that I did about home and about what might be out there in front of us.