SONGS OF HOPE IN STRANGE TIMES, a five-movement choral song cycle for SATB Choir & String Quartet, was originally written as a narrative of the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the world in 2020-present, but can also speak to other strange times in our lives when things do not seem to make sense or have a clear meaning. Each movement traces a different part of the pandemic, from the Descent (Mvmt. I) into chaos in the beginning days, the periods of Hibernation (Mvmt. II) retreating to safety and distance, the long period of Stasis (Mvmt. III) waiting for things to change, the slow but hopeful Re-Emergence (Mvmt. IV) as things started to improve, and the triumphant Rising (Mvmt. V)  as we returned to life and joy. Each movement presents a way to find hope and meaning in these strange times of our lives, including other situations where normal life doesn’t always make sense.”

MOVEMENTS

I: IN TIMES OF DESCENT (3:30) –  commissioned by SACRA/PROFANA directed by Juan Carlos Acosta
II: IN TIMES OF HIBERNATION (3:30) –  commissioned by SACRA/PROFANA directed by Juan Carlos Acosta
III: IN TIMES OF STASIS (6:00) –  commissioned by Westminster High School directed by Kelly Ann Self
IV: IN TIMES OF RE-EMERGENCE (3:30) –  commissioned by SACRA/PROFANA directed by Juan Carlos Acosta
V: IN TIMES OF RISING (5:30) –  commissioned by Loyola Marymount University Consort Singers directed by T.J. Harper

Ruminations & Affirmations was commissioned by Jackson Thomas for a culminating doctoral study at the University of Kansas centered on the pedagogy of minimalist vocal techniques. The piece is inspired by elements of Minimalism, as well as the composer’s personal experiences with anxiety and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). The first half, Ruminations, features an incessant motor and an “obsessive thought” in the piano that keeps restarting, followed by frantic intrusive worries sung by the choir. The Ruminations section climaxes into a slowly building wall of anxiety featuring counting and various obsessive thoughts from which the singers may choose. This gives way to the choir taking a breath, holding it, and slowly exhaling along with the slowing motor in the piano, resting on B Major.

The second half, Affirmations, begins in the calmer Parallel E Major with a slower, more peaceful motor in the Piano. The choir then sings meditative observations based on their senses, which is adapted from the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique, often used to calm an anxious mind (it asks the person to name 5 things they can see, 4 things they can feel, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste). The idea is to gently bring one’s consciousness back into the present and immediate physical world. The section concludes with the choir singing repeating affirmations, often used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat anxiety and OCD.

This piece would fit well in any concert, particularly on themes of mental health, awareness, and advocacy.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from anxiety or OCD, know that help is available. Reach out to a licensed professional or one of many resources available, such as the International OCD Foundation (https://iocdf.org/) to be connected to someone who can help.

Check out these upcoming Spring 2023 performances around the Southern California region!

I am very thrilled to share this brand new recording of my piece Shadows for SSSAA Choir & Singing Bowl, which sets the gorgeous poem by my late aunt Susan Jordan. A huge thank you to A.J. Teshin & The Teshin Company for recording, mixing, and bringing this piece to life.   The Teshin Company · … Continue reading June 22nd, 2022 →

 I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I have won the first annual Dr. Jim MacMillan composition prize!  My choral composition Sub Tuum Praesidium will be premiered on April 26 & 28, 2019 by the wonderful Voci choir of Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association, conducted by Mark Steighner! This choir is located in Hood River, OR and I am … Continue reading January 30th, 2019 →

The fabulous Nova Vocal Ensemble will be performing my a cappella arrangement of “Coventry Carol”, commissioned by director and conductor Jonathan Bautista. Tickets are $10 (+service fee) online and $12 at the door. I will be singing in the choir as well. There are breath-taking a cappella choral pieces on this program, so I hope … Continue reading November 25th, 2015 →