Whispering of fields unsown was commissioned by a consortium of schools representing the Western and Northwestern divisions of CBDNA. Although it stands alone as a piece in and of itself, it also serves as the second movement to my Symphony No. 8, a much larger work that was originally intended to honor Veteran’s Day. This movement was inspired by Wilfred Owen's poem Futility. The title of Owen’s poem suggests the progression of his feelings about war, but there is something in this poem that remains gentle and kind and beautiful. In spite of the horrors of his experiences, his love for his brothers is apparent in his words.