The first piece I wrote this year at first seemed like a long shot for success. I had long been inspired by e.e. cummings' poem "i carry your heart with me," but for someone who has only ever written church music, I thought it would end up being cheesy or kitsch if I tried to set a love poem. Also, if you follow choral repertoire at all, you know that there are already numerous settings of this text. At the risk of ruining a gorgeous poem and adding to an e.e. cummings-saturated choral market, I went about writing the piece, doing most of the work, as I recall, in my classroom.
After several edits, I submitted the piece to the KC VITAS Chamber Choir, who has developed a reputation of giving stunning premieres in their Summer Series Concerts.
In May, I received word that out of over 800 submissions, my setting of "I Carry Your Heart With Me" was chosen as the concert closer for their 2019 Summer Series! I am thrilled to be able to go to both concerts this August. Kansas City friends – check out this choir and consider joining me in August!