Commissioned for the Jefferson County Public Schools 10th-12th Grade All-County Honor Choir; Dr. Francis Cathlina, conductor

Some pieces take a long time to write, and this piece is a prime example of that. The first time I tried setting this beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson was in 2022 when I was an undergraduate student at TCU. I tried to compose an unaccompanied piece for a friend’s conducting recital, but I could never quite find a theme I liked. I did not know how to allow the music to flow and capture the phrasing of Dickinson’s poem. I had been sitting on this poem for a couple years, and finally in 2024, I decided to compose this piece with a piano accompaniment that would allow the lyrical melodies to float and soar above.

I believe Emily Dickinson’s words are more relevant than ever. We have a responsibility to lend a helping hand, to care for one another, and to lift one another up.

The piece was premiered in October 2024 under the direction of Dr. Francis Cathlina, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to compose this piece for the Jefferson County Public Schools 10th-12th Grade All-County Honor Choir.