My Music

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Commissioned by the University of Manitoba Concert Choir, with Dr. Catherine Robbins as director, I've described From Nature as "a bittersweet response to humanity's disregard for the wellbeing of our home". It's my first piece set to an original text, which is quite an intimidating thing to put out there, but I'm very happy with the result. The sparse, repetitive piano reflects various aspects of nature - the shimmering water, the delicate grass, and the sparkling moonlight. The choir sings melancholically smooth lines on top of that, almost wailing as the chords slide between each other.

From Nature is written for SATB (some divisi) and piano. It is recommended for an advanced high school or early university choir.

Text:

 Feel the wind blow your way

Feel the sunlight kiss your face

Feel the dirt on your feet

Feel the water in the stream

And think of me when you take my heart and cast it away 

Feel my love in the breeze

Hear my passion in the leaves

See my joy fall as rain

And my fires burn in vain

And think of me when you take my heart and cast it away

I will still be here

I will still be here 

Written during the third year of my degree, Living was the first choral piece I've written that has been performed. It was premiered by the University of Manitoba Singers under the direction of Dr. Elroy Friesen at the 2022 winter concert, and was subsequently taken on tour with the choir to Spain. When looking for a text for this piece, I didn't know exactly where to look, though I knew my sister had written poetry in high school. After she generously allowed me to read through some of her poetry, I was amazed by the text of a poem she wrote, also titled Living. It became the perfect focus for a choral piece, and I believe it's one of the main reasons Living became such a strong choral piece so early in my choral writing journey.

Living is written for 8 part SSAATTBB choir, unaccompanied. It's an advanced piece, and is recommended for a high level university or community choir.

Text:

The stillness falls as a sheet

It flutters slowly until it hits the ground

It spreads itself out, covering the land

Everything grows calm

Quiet

Peaceful

Nothing rustles, nothing moves

The only sign of life is the way the earth breathes in and out

Subconsciously pushing against its serenity

For the world does not truly want to remain still

It wants to run, to jump, to dance

To move with the vitality that it was created with

We cannot be at peace until we are alive

Breathe in, breathe out