PROJECT : ENCORE™: SATB-SATB

This piece was inspired by looking at pictures of the Amazon River and its tributaries. It follows a rain drop from a melting snow pile through streams, pristine lakes, stagnant waters choked with algae, polluted tributaries, huge rivers, and finally into the ocean.
 

"exceptionally beautiful on many counts."
     -- Chestnut Hill Local, Philadelphia
 
"subtle and fragrant -- beautifully scored for both orchestra and chorus."
     -- John Corigliano, composer
 
"an all-too-rare combination of beautiful texts and refreshing, invigorating music."
     -- Johannes Somary, conductor
 

This piece is written in a gospel style but has aspects of jazz and modern "classical" writing as well. There is a good deal of call and response and the piece is quite rhythmic. The opening solo, "I have a dream" may be sung by any male voice-type. The "Shouters," male and female voices in unison, sing a repetitive riff on the text "From the hills of New Hampshire! From New York’s mighty mountains!...
This piece is almost certainly a concert finale - the ending is "big."
It was composed in honor of Brown vs. Board Education, May 17, 1954 and