In a Cause Called "Glorious" was composed to commemorate the Bicentennial of West Point.

The United States Military Academy Band, the U.S. Army's oldest active band and the oldest unit at West Point traces its roots to the Revolutionary War... a Time when a once ragtag "band" of gallant patriots joined defiant and brave In a Cause Called "Glorious".

With exuberant exhilaration they set forth on the great American Adventure! From that moment on, many souls have trained to defend that first and noble principle. This work is humbly dedicated to the men and women, past and future, alive and sacrificed who gave and continue to give of themselves in the defense of Freedom. They are the modern-day Knights, a long gray line of Heroes serving in a perpetual cause called... "Glorious".

(This work was indirectly nominated for the Pulitzer!)

IN A SERVICE BEYOND SELF was commissioned by The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West Captain Douglas Monroe, Commander & Conductor, In Tribute to the Efforts and Vision of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell.

General William Billy Mitchell (1879-1936) was the renowned pioneer of US air power and generally regarded as one of the most farsighted military leaders of his age. As Prometheus was burned at the stake for bringing the world fire, so was Billy court-martialed for his prophecy that Japan might cripple the US Navy at Pearl Harbor using air power. His was a voice in the wilderness, a man ahead of his Time. He was a forward thinking risk-taker whose reputation was not restored until after his passing.

In a Service Beyond Self is humbly dedicated to the Efforts and Vision of General Billy Mitchell and to all those who, like him, serve ideals which are beyond themselves.

Written as a "warm-up" for Band, this Musical Haiku #19 blends all colours in the ensemble. Similar in purpose to the Three Musical Haikus for Band and the Function Chorales, it explores tuning and intonation in more expansive and emotional ways. Where words fail, a perusal of the score will reveal the true nature of the piece. 

Composed for Bassoonist, Ms. Dorian Cooke, this work is for a skilled Soloist with Percussion Ensemble.

Written with many options, it can be rendered by 1, 4 or even 8 bassoonists. Ms. Cooke accompanies herself on the Walk on the Water Album.

Inspired by a discussion with a Russian Conductor, Koldoon, the Russian word for "Wizard" takes easily recognizable mathematics and creates an interplay based on the Fibonacci related points of 3 and 5 as well as the "W"... and tells a timely tale of modern day sorcery. New-to-our-idiom colours bring the piece through contrasting moods and into an exciting conclusion. 

At the premiere, this piece was encored TWICE at the cry-outs from the audience.  Three times is a charm!

As a new member of the Churchill Center, I received a mailing.  The letter indicated that the United States Navy was soon to commission the first non-U.S. citizen guided missile destroyer DDG 81 in the name of Sir Winston S. Churchill! His photograph by Yousuf Karsh hangs over my desk. A single glance had me instantly calling Commander Keller to find out if the Atlantic Fleet Band was playing for the celebration. Indeed they would be... and joined by the forces of the British Royal Marine Band.

So, with precious little Time, this piece, joined thematically to the A WISH to the WORLD suite was fittingly crafted.

"Never, Never, Never... Never give in." So strong was his courage and faith in a new day, that Winston Churchill requested first TAPS... and then REVEILLE at his memorial service in January of 1965. 

(I have offered this sequence of Taps and Reveille for several of our ex-POW Survivors.)

His favorite hymn, Who Would True Valour See opened the tribute.

William Shakespeare in Henry V, summed just part of the essence of Winston S. Churchill in his St. Crispen's Day Speech. For this reason, Winston's Theme is connected to the American Knights, renamed "A Wish to the World."

Indeed, Winston's mother was an American, and he embodied the very alliance that helped to defeat the forces of Tyranny. When you think of truly great Leaders, it is not possible to forget the tremendous gifts of this most influential master statesman.

This piece, connected to Once More Unto the Breach, a theme which embodies Winston S. Churchill, is dedicated to those of us who look to the forever stalwart, past and present. In them, we find the courage to face the insurmountable again and again and again...

See: Commander Franken's 2 April 2001 Letter.