2014 – for SATB Chorus (3:30)

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PERUSAL SCORE

My River Runs to Thee


NOTE

My River Runs to Thee was commissioned by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence on the occasion of the ensemble’s River Songs and Tales with Mark Twain Tour (November 13-16, 2014) and the Gather at the River with Mark Twain Fundraiser at the Minnesota Centennial Showboat in Saint Paul (May 2, 2015). I first had the privilege to work with Philip and VocalEssence as part of the American Composers Forum’s Essentially Choral reading sessions in 2013, and it is a thrill and honor to continue to work with such a distinguished group. This work is inspired by the group’s depth of skill and warmth of spirit.

Essentially Choral is underwritten by VocalEssence and American Composers Forum with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation. The work will be premiered in the fall of 2014 by VocalEssence (Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director).


TEXT

My River Runs to Thee

My river runs to thee:
Blue sea, wilt welcome me?

My river waits reply.
Oh sea, look graciously!

I’ll fetch thee brooks
From spotted nooks,—

Say, sea,
Take me!

– Emily Dickinson

river


PREMIERE

November 2014
Newhall Auditorium
Shattuck-St. Mary’s School
Faribault, Minnesota
The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, conductor


Copyright 2013-22 by Michael Schachter. michael.schachter [at] gmail.com