In 2003, composer Philip Sparke was commissioned to write a piece that characterized man's ability to overcome personal tragedy - a scenario which often leaves one with a philosophy of serenity. Sparke decided to use the analogy of the giant sequoia tree - particularly the California redwood. The remarkable life cycle of these amazing trees begins with seeds dropped to the ground, and then requiring heat to open their shells and germinate. The redwood forests are frequently subject to fires that can destroy the mother tree, but ironically also provide the impetus for their seeds to spring into life; the trees actually need a disaster to procreate. In a similar way, the human spirit can actually gain from setbacks: we become stronger after adversity. The original work was called Spirit of the Sequoia. This new easier version, And Still, the Spirit, has been rearranged and simplified by the composer, while keeping the drama and intensity of the original. (Grade 3.5) Dur: 8:15