I had just moved to a new town, started a challenging new career of fundraising consulting for the performing arts during unhopeful economic times, and was trying to support a spouse in her first ministerial appointment. A friend gave me an Octarium CD, "Essentials" and Rachmaninov's Bogorditse literally slapped me in the face. The gentle firmness of pianissimo and both the depth and marriage of tone forced me to pull over my car because the sound was literally pulling the tearful depression from my eyes and the moaning stress from my throat. I believe art connects us to each other and to our Creator. Art as a vessel has saved me time and time again. Octarium was a vessel that day, and I'm continually impressed and blessed by their artful and innovative approach and dedication to producing one sound together.