A Veterans’ Lament was composed as part of the string quartet “Into The Liquid”,commissioned by the New York City-based Ethel Quartet in 2013.
It is included as the 3rd chapter of the quartet version titled, “Adult Years".
A Veterans' Lament has an added introduction, and is orchestrated for full orchestra, string orchestra wind ensemble and string quartet with piano. These arrangements continues the composers mission to use music to bring visibility to veterans and their service to country.
Duration: 4 minutes
The score includes two optional narrations one delivered by Abraham Lincoln and the other from a speech delivered by General Colin Powell to celebrate the unveiling of the Buffalo Soldier statue at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in 1992. Of note General Powell gave his personal endorsement to use his words.
*****After the conflict with Iraq in 2003, Buffalo Soldiers (the composition) was published with a revised narration and titled American Soldier. It includes a narration written by army veteran Carol Williams and narrated (on CD) by actor Gary Sinise.
Duration: 17min
CD Recording - West Point Band CD . (Significant revision in 2005, see score).
Symphony for the Sons of Nam was composed in 1990 as a string quartet and subsequently orchestrated for full orchestra in 1991 and wind ensemble in 2011. It is in 4 Chapters with Chapters 1 and 2 completed.
Duration: 22 minutes
CD Recording (with YouTube Video)
YouTube Video RECORDING (USAF BAND):