My band was the one who commissioned this piece and played it at the New York City Fire Department’s remembrance in April of 2002. It’s an experience I’ll never forget - nor will those of the band and choir members who were there that day.
This piece was written as an elegy for the 9/11 terror attacks. I couldn't help but tear up while playing this in band class. We ended up visiting the 9/11 memorial for our New York band trip that same year. Very poignant of Jay Bocook to write something as beautiful as this piece.