This choral work was commissioned in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.  It is a setting of an extraordinary poem, entitled “To the Others,” written by the Irish-American poet Lola Ridge (1873-1941), a fascinating artist and social activist—and a passionate champion of immigrants, the working class, and the marginalized. With vivid imagery, Ridge’s poem explores the seen and unseen, the layers of American society, and the inextinguishable hope, desire, and ambition of those who wish to engage with it and make their way forward in the world. My music attempts to capture and embody this spirit. A beautiful performance in Dresden by the UW-Whitewater Chamber Singers (with the score scrolling) can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA_3zlbfMck