Program Notes:

Be music, night, That her sleep may go Where angels have their pale tall choirs Be a hand, sea, That her dreams may watch Thy guidesman touching the green flesh of the world Be a voice, sky, That her beauties may be counted And the stars will tilt their quiet faces Into the mirror of her loveliness Be a road, earth, That her walking may take thee Where the towns of heaven lift their breathing spires O be a world and a throne, God, That her living may find its weather And the souls of ancient bells in a child's book Shall lead her into Thy wondrous house.

- Kenneth Patchen (Text used with permission)

Be Music, Night is based on a poem by American poet and novelist Kenneth Patchen (1911-1972). My initial springboard of inspiration to set this text stemmed from my own interpretation of the poem – that this is a tender wish for a beloved person. The mellifluous quality of the words and the beautiful, vibrant imagery they instill lent themselves well to music. In this text I found a wondrous world, which I enjoyed exploring through my own musical voice.