Album Notes

This music was composed out of Phyllis' deep concern for all people who are being traumatized by war, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. These fourteen original solo piano pieces, more than an hour's worth of contemplative music, grieve and deplore the violence of war as well as celebrate humanity's desire for, and work toward, peace.

Your purchase of this CD will directly support the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict. CIVIC was founded by a young American humanitarian, Marla Ruzicka, to assist civilians caught in the crossfire of war, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Though Marla was killed by a car bomb in Iraq in 2005 at the young age of 28, we can help carry on her dream to "change the world." For more information about CIVIC, visit www.civicworldwide.com.

Phyllis is a composer and performer of solo piano music, as well as an author and public speaker. Raised on a farm in rural Ohio, she now resides in Brookings, South Dakota. She and her husband Jihong, a research scientist and university professor, were married in 1994. They dote shamelessly on their young son Nathan, whose Chinese name, LanTian, means "wide-open blue sky."

Phyllis unites her deep love of composing and writing with an even deeper passion for humanitarian service. Following the lead of pianist George Winston, she makes every concert an occasion for a food drive (or other local charitable endeavor). With the sale of each recording and book, she financially supports social justice and humanitarian relief efforts. In the words of legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, she wants more than anything to help "bind up this sorry world with hand and heart and mind."