About This Work
Quiet Shadows is my musical portrayal of four soldiers together on guard duty in Vietnam. The four voices of the string quartet represent four individual soldiers — each with their own thoughts, fears, and memories — bound together in silent vigilance through the long hours of the night.
The work captures the psychological landscape of that experience: the weight of silence, the bonds forged between those who stand watch together, and the private world each soldier carries within. Rather than depicting combat, Quiet Shadows turns inward, giving voice to the inner life of the soldier in stillness.
The composition has since been arranged for a wide range of solo instruments and chamber ensembles, so that performers across the musical spectrum may bring this meditation on service and human connection to their own audiences.
Score Access & Performance License Policy
Works by J. Kimo Williams
As a composer, I believe music is not merely a transactional commodity, but a cultural and human exchange shaped by lived experience, history, memory, and community engagement.
In that spirit, my scores are made freely available for download for study, rehearsal, and live performance.
Free Use Permitted
You may download and use these scores and parts for:
- Personal study
- Classroom or educational use
- Rehearsal
- Live concert performance
There is no rental fee required for live performance. I only ask that you let me know of any performances scheduled and provide a program relating to any completed performance.
License Required
Prior written permission is required for:
- Audio recording
- Video recording
- Livestreaming
- Broadcast
- YouTube or social media posting
- Commercial release
- Digital distribution
- Film, television, podcast, or media synchronization
Performance Attribution
Programs and publicity should credit the work as follows:
Composed by J. Kimo Williams — Captain, U.S. Army (Retired)
Published by One Omik Music (BMI)
Recording & Media Licensing
To request permission for audio, video, broadcast, livestream, or media use, contact:
J. Kimo Williams — kimo@omik.com
Click here for the full License Policy | License Types & Examples