I was thinking today of one of the more meaningful events that I have enjoyed in my life. When the Peacehealth River Bend Hospital opened in 2008, the Oregon Bach Festival premiered a composition that was commissioned for the opening. My wife Carleen was instrumental in arranging for the commission, and in seeing it through to its first performance. “This House of Peace” was composed by Ralph M. Johnson, a superb composer from Minnesota. A side benefit of the project is that Ralph and his wife Laurie have become dear friends. I am posting a video below of the performance of the piece by the St. Olaf Choir so that you might enjoy it, too.
