In recent times, with the exception of horrific attacks in key parts of the world against our military and allies, at home, we have had relative peace. This could explain why we have delved deeper into commissioning new works for the future, learning new music, planning for future schedules, writing new music that will wait to be published and then performed in two years--but there's always the bug in the back of the mind--what if?? What if something else happens close to home? Then there's the guilt--how can we do these new projects for the future--while there are people sacrificing their lives on the other side of the world? How can we compose a beautiful melody--and perform works of beauty while faced with daily news of strife, death and always wondering when something else might happen closer to home? Tough questions to answer, perhaps. Perhaps we continue to challenge ourselves as human beings, no matter what.