Promise by Jeffrey Prater is a one-movement musical composition for solo flute and
string orchestra but is a flute & piano version here. It was composed between March 15 and April 6, 2005. This piece is
autobiographical in nature, and concerns hope of healing and the rebuilding of life
following the recent and sudden death of the composer’s wife. The strings are used in this
piece to establish moods of awakening hope, restlessness, grief, anger and acceptance (all
elements of the healing process after a tragic loss). The solo flute represents those active
spiritual forces that share in the grief experience, but that also lead the grieving soul
forward and outward into a fullness of healing and restoration. The final section of
Promise is a variation on the American hymn tune ‘Solid Rock.’
Promise is dedicated to members of the composer’s family, his closest friends, and to his
colleagues, students and spiritual mentors— those who have helped him begin to
understand that there is a ‘promise of life’ even in the midst of sadness and loss.
The flute and orchestra version is also available under our Flute & Orchestra section.
