In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our concert on October 14th featured two works by living composers. The first was Jerod Tate’s “Ghost of the White Deer,” with Diane Lipartito, bassoon soloist. The second was “Healing Heart of the First People of This Land: A Symphony in Four Movements,” by Bruce Ruddell. This work was commissioned by an indigenous woman who, after the events of 9/11, was inspired to use music as a healing force in the world. Her daughter, the composer, and two researchers came for the concert, hosting a Q&A session following a viewing of the documentary that tells the story of the efforts of the indigenous great-grandmother in commissioning the symphony.