Chi-Town Monk by J.C. Combs and dedicated to his son Chris Combs. - Notes from the composer: "Chi-Town Monk is a piece I wrote for my oldest son, Chris, who is a writer and independent film maker in Chicago. This Monk inspired piece is my attempt to capture, for a moment, the complexity of Chris' artistry. The train sounds at the beginning are my reference to the Delta blues players who came from Mississippi to Chicago after the turn of the century." This piece is published along with two other original vibraphone solos by Dr. Combs in a book titled Three Brothers, available through C. Alan Publications.

One for Paquito by J.C. Combs - Notes from the composer: "One for Paquito was inspired by my work with Mike Spiro. Mike and I worked together on a book series for teaching world music to children, and he truly opened my eyes to the music of Brazil. The title comes from the fact that Paquito D'Rivera heard this piece, liked it, and asked for a copy of it. My dream was that he might record it someday, so I put his name on it just for luck. I am still waiting!" [webmaster's note: Michael had so many instruments on stage that he required stage hands (right) to remove and rearrange the stage after every selection.]

4th Station - a station is somewhere to stop and wait. When Christians pray the Stations of the Cross they stop and wait at fourteen different points along Jesus' journey, all of which took place on the last day of Jesus' life. At the "4th station" Jesus meets Mary his mother. At this point in the journey, Jesus has already been whipped and beaten; he has also fallen once under the weight of the wooden cross he was forced to carry. Bloody and beaten he looked to Mary his mother, and at that moment her heart was broken.

Can a woman forget the child of her womb,
whom she has fed at her breast,
and dandled on her knee,
and patiently guided over the years?
No, for he comes from her flesh,
and the love of the mother reflects
the love of the Creator.

4th Station
We adore You Christ and praise You
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world
We adore You Christ and praise You
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed us.
Oh Lord, will You let me live, and die, always united with You
Oh Lord, will You let me live, and die, always united with You
We are full of grace
Oh Lord, grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee
Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee
And also with us
Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee
People full of grace the Lord is with thee
Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee
And also with us

Oh, how the mother of our Lord must have felt
To see her son die on the cross
A mother's heart can know no greater sorrow
We adore You Christ and praise You
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

I am - was composed for Jeanne Anne Schroeder and was premiered at her senior vocal recital in December 2000. This duet is simply an expression of creativity in both the music and the poetry. It is intended to contrast the Fourth Station's smooth melodic texture.

I am to the savior as the sailor to the sea
I am to the teacher the child I'd like to be
I am to the lover as green as a spring weed
To the wicked, I am nothing more than a lost soul in need.

It Is Well with My Soul is an arrangement of the traditional church hymn tune written by Philip P. Bliss. While I was in school working on my Bachelors Degree I also traveled and performed part time with Rich Mullins and his various bands. Upon graduation, in May 1997, I joined Rich and his current band as the full time percussionist. On September 19, 1997 as we were traveling to a performance, there was an accident involving the vehicle Rich was traveling in and he was killed. The month following his accident was difficult for all involved. It was at this time that I arranged It is Well with My Soul for the hammered dulcimer in honor of Rich and his family.

Rotation 1 by Eric Sammut and dedicated to Gordon Stout. Eric Sammut is a French composer/percussionist and is well known for his completely improvised marimba performances. Sammut was the winner of the 1994 Leigh Stevens International Marimba Competition and is now hailed as one of the greatest marimbists in the world. Sammut is currently principle timpanist for Franceís premier Opera Company.

Rotation 4 by Eric Sammut and dedicated to Veronica and Nina