This was my first attempt at writing a piece for a choir. I enjoy this piece a lot, but I imagine myself reworking it into a more polished product. My understanding of choral literature has vastly improved since completing "Wakened Rejoice," and some of my inexperience in vocal writing shows. I still love the music, and I have several ideas in mind to transform this work into something really special. My notes from 2010:
The text for "Wakened Rejoice" came to me one night while I was waiting for
inspiration to hit me. In setting the text to music, I tried to be straightforward and
sincere. This piece portrays the message of Christianity. Regardless of what the
performers believe, embrace the painful and joyful moments in the music, allowing
great tension to find brilliant resolution.
Text:
Man started his descent to death,
in spite of God who gave man breath.
But out of love through sacrifice,
Christ gave the fallen man new life.
Defeated death has lost its voice,
so let the wakened man rejoice.
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