"Divine" was my way of expressing gratitude for the gift of writing. It was my first opportunity to write something for band that wasn't fast-paced, and so I knew I needed to look inward. There are two different hymns within. The first one that you hear is one I wrote. The second is "Come Down, O Love Divine," whose lyrics speak of deliverance. These melodies are explored by many different sections of the ensemble, including an extended euphonium solo, and interact with each other throughout. Following a brass chorale, the culmination of the work sets both hymns together in a joyous expression of gratitude. The piece ends with two soloists trading the hymns one last time.

Special thanks to the Huntington North High School Band for commissioning this work. Thank you as well to Michael Petek and Alexander Walters, as well as the students for their hard work in preparation and performance of this piece.

(Program notes provided by the composer. Please use these program notes for all performances.)