Reunion
“Reunion” was inspired by a visit with my parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. After careful self-isolation and negative COVID tests, we joined them and my sister’s family for our traditional summer vacation together. When we said goodbye, we did not know how long it would be until we could be together again without masks and social distancing. We had many long hugs during this time.
The seeds for this project were planted during conversations with Allison Fromm, Director of Joyful Noise. Many of the singers in Joyful Noise, which is a choir for adults physical and neurological disabilities and acquired brain injuries, had been apart from their family for a year due to institutional rules prohibiting visits. The pain of physical separation from loved ones is particularly acute for them.
As the project grew to include Cambridge Common Voices (which is a neurodiverse community chorus, made up of members of the Harvard Choruses and the Threshold Program at Lesley University, a transition program for young adults with diverse learning challenges), with Artistic Director Andrew Clark; and the Central Illinois Youth Chorus, with Artistic Director Andrea Solya; it became my most ambitious live remote project to date. This work is commissioned jointly by all three of the above mentioned ensembles, and I am grateful to all three choirs and cellist Martin Laufhutte for their adventurous spirit and willingness to find a way to bring almost 100 performers in six states together in real time.
The premiere was a live performance over Zoom, using relatively low input volume levels to override the platform’s tendency to highlight one individual. It is an imperfect platform, but its ease of use made it the only platform feasible for this performance. In that moment, we were happy to accept those imperfections for the joy of singing together and sharing the experience with our audience.
Reunion is now available for purchase in three versions—the original version for 2-part mixed chorus, 2-part treble chorus, and cello; a version for 4-part mixed chorus and cello; and a version for 2-part mixed chorus, cello, and piano. All versions may (and should!) be performed in-person.
You held me and I was a child again.
You held me and you kept me safe.
You held me and I would not let go.
You held me and my cheeks were wet.
I told you what was really going on.
I told you what was on my mind.
I told you what I feared was up ahead.
I told you just how hard it was.