Colors of Peace was composed in September of 2023. With it I hoped to create music that expresses many aspects of peace in our lives. 1. Shades of Prayer presents several of the central motifs of the composition as a whole, and contains music ranging from hymn-like passages to more overtly lyrical and expressive material. 2. Blossom is music inspired by the idea of how society is capable of flourishing vibrantly under the umbrella of peace. 3. Meditation is music depicting our inner realm, our longing for calm and serenity. 4. Warrior's Hue is dedicated to those who defend our peace, who risk and sacrifice everything to protect and maintain it. 5. Refrain draws its themes from previous movements in a quiet, lyrical offering. 6. Rhapsody is intended as a passionate expression of hope, striving, and vision for peace in the world of future generations. The ending chords, with their alternating dissonance and consonance, symbolize the ongoing struggle for peace, for creating a society with guardrails that prevent those who would destroy it from succeding. The work ends with echos of the sonority introduced in the opening movement (the "peace chord": D major with added 9 and #11), ringing with eternal hope and yearning.

Colors of Piece was commissioned by pianist Shu Li with support from Augustana University, and premiered by Dr. Li on April 12, 2024 at the university. A special thanks goes to Augustana University for making possible the commission.