"At Dawn They slept"

At Dawn They Slept
~December 7, 1941~
Leigh Downing Mr. Vandermuese

Statements are made even though we hear no words. This piece of music really speaks to me and touches my soul to the point that I almost cried the first time I played it. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 is a sensitive and heroic topic. When I listen to the music I hear the music of life, tragedy, death and determination.
The opening measures of the piece represent to me the sunrise of that terrible day in 1941. The chromatic climb and crescendo in measures 7 through 10 lead to a profound statement using the triplet patterns. This climb shows the sunrise over Pearl Harbor and the triplet patterns hint of the military presence in those parts. The music then settles down to a mezzo piano and in measure 16 begins the tranquil melody. The composer, Jay Bocook changes meters and the mood of the music using subtle timbres like clarinet and oboe. When I hear this melody, I think of the...