I have a piece of music I’d like to share with all of you. It’s an original composition called Arctic Circles, by a young composer you’ve probably never listened to. His name is Mac, and you’ll meet him and his family on the attached video.
It goes without saying, (or at least, it will after you watch this), that Mac possessed an undeniable talent. I say “possessed” because shortly after this remarkable piece was recorded, and his first and last album completed, Mac lost his battle with a rare form of cancer. I got the news earlier this year from his dad, another musician whose work you might be familiar with – Gary Sinise. In fact, it was Gary who shared this video with me a few months after his son died, along with this text:
“Mike – I just turned 69, and in all my years, this is a sorrow and pain unlike any I’ve ever felt. Even now, three months later, the emotions can come at any moment. I know it will be like that for the foreseeable future, but as time presses on, we’ll manage the grief better. I have never talked publicly about Mac’s fight with cancer, but what my son accomplished in his final months is truly remarkable. I think you’ll appreciate this. It’s the final recording session of Arctic Circles. The musical is magical. God Bless. Your pal, Gary.”
Full disclosure, I would have shared this video no matter what I thought of the music. To see Gary and his family sitting there in the studio watching his son, as his son watches a world class orchestra perform a piece he wrote over a decade ago, is reason enough to watch. The love in the room is palpable. But Gary was right about the music. It is magical. Those aren’t merely the words of a father, overcome with grief and pride. It’s just a fact. Mac Sinise was an extraordinary talent, and his talent should be shared. And so, I’m sharing it, and I hope you will, too.
Mike
PS. The album is called Resurrection and Revival. It’s beautiful, too, and available here. In vinyl or digital. Proceeds, at Mac’s request, benefit The Gary Sinise Foundation.