In 1981, I began my career as a college professor at Spring Arbor College, in Spring Arbor, Michigan. It was customary at this church-related college to begin the day, several times a week, with an all-campus chapel service. On one particular occasion, I came late to the service during the singing of the opening hymn, “And Can It Be?” , a hymn deeply rooted in Methodist tradition, authored by Charles Wesley to the music of Thomas Campbell. Despite my Methodist upbringing, I had never sung or heard this hymn before. With over 700 voices resounding the strings of this hymn, I was immediately taken by its beauty and grandeur. The hymn has remained a favorite of mine and that memorable day is firmly etched in my mind.

Last year, after the tragedy at Columbine, Colorado, this hymn tune immediately came to mind with its title now bearing a double meaning. Whereas Charles Wesley wrote, “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour’s blood?”, I asked, “How can it be that these young people should die so violently and needlessly?” One can only turn to God or a force greater than man for comfort amidst such terrible events. Hence, the inspiration for this work taken from the affirmation of this hymn versus the escalating violence in our country, particularly in our public schools.

The substance of this work is derived from the hymn, starting with a partial statement of the hymn which becomes twisted and snarled like the growing violence in our world. But, for the saving grace of God, love will always reign, and the hymn tune eventually emerges in glorious triumph. Charles Wesley’s final verse aptly describes the course of this work:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eyes diffused a quickening ray.

I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.

My chains fell off; my heart was free/

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

David R. Gillingham is an American contemporary composer, who is known for his works for concert band and percussion ensemble. He attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for his undergraduate degree in Music Education, after which he went to Vietnam where he served in the army, playing in various army bands. After returning to America, he became a band teacher for a few years, before going to Michigan State University for his PhD in Music Composition/Music Theory, after which he pursued a career as a composer while also serving as a university professor. In 1990, his concert band piece Heroes Lost and Fallen, a piece about the Vietnam War, won the International Barlow Composition Contest. He retired as professor of music theory and composition at Central Michigan University in 2016.

Program note and composer biography adapted by Elisabeth Jackson from that provided by the composer