This work’s origins can be traced back to a contemplative neighborhood walk, at a time when I struggled to balance my own needs with those of others who I care about. These words “arrived in mind” as I walked. The music I wrote later was influenced by my thoughts about the relationship between a community and its individual members: the 20-32 sopranos and altos of the choir begin by independently repeating short melodic phrases, each singer making autonomous decisions about tempo and rubato, listening carefully as she negotiates her role within the group.

The score for this work can be purchased from Gumroad or Ko-fi. View a score sample here.

Text by Rebekah Driscoll:

Like tangled tree roots
my desires and expectations
have tightly wrapped around me;
I will loosen their hold.

I am distracted
and weighted down
by disappointment and injury;
I remember gratitude.

May I be fearless,
may I be generous
and able to clearly see.