These songs were written for a friend that I met at the University of Akron, Dave Ramsay. We worked together in several ensembles, and so when he requested a set of songs, these were the result. The texts of each movement reflect a theme of consolation. A crying gesture is heard throughout the piece, providing a sense of unity and distress. The piece ends, however, on a happy note of comfort, wishing the listener a "Good Night".
Eastern Pinnacle for clarinet and CD was premiered during the third Johnstone Woodwind Master Series on May 1, 2008 by clarinettist Colleen Tryon. It took first place in the JWMS III Competition.