Sweet Dreams and Time Machines by Michael Burritt

Performed by Ivan Trevino and Michael Burritt in Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music

Sweet Dreams and Time Machines (2017) is dedicated to the memory of my friend, colleague and former Dean of the Eastman School of Music, Doug Lowry. There isn’t a week that goes by at Eastman when I don’t think of Doug, from the time I interviewed with him for the position at Eastman to Doug introducing me as “Buzz Saw” Burritt after a memorable performance with the Eastman Wind Ensemble in Chicago. Doug was a person who always allowed you to feel yourself in his presence through his warm demeanor and casual sense of humor.

There are no time machines, outside of science fiction novels and movies. True time machines are the memories we carry with us of people and moments shared. I find some memories so poignant that you can almost step into them, almost as though you are living that moment again. Sweet Dreams to those who have passed, touched us forever, and live eternally in our time machines.

Sweet Dreams and Time Machines [for Anna]
by Kelsey Peterson

I thought I saw you down the hall
                    There is a door closed with a light behind it
But it could not be you, friend
                     A door, closed
It has been so long since I have seen you
                    A light
I remember you so completely
The door is large and dark
That I could almost lay my hand on you again
Behind it, light
Should I see you
                     At the end of the hall
I imagine you refreshed, as though
                    A great door
Had opened, pouring
                    Light
Upon your face