Being Here

About

Commissioned and premiered by Masterworks Chorale under the direction of Dr. Bryan Baker. This is an audio recording from a live concert on June 9, 2024 at Congregational Church at San Mateo.

I wrote Being here for Masterworks Chorale’s 60th anniversary, a truly amazing milestone for a community choir. I wanted to honor the long tenure of many of the members of the chorus with a piece that was both reflective and optimistic. The final line of this text comes from the Scotch-Irish song The Parting Glass, which is often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. Many thanks to Dr. Bryan Baker for commissioning this piece and to Masterworks Chorale for premiering it.

What has become of these tender hearts

that seek joy in each dawn or breath?

Our full, foolish eyes know gladness

in those with us and those we miss.

Sweet Life, dear Life,

Please be kind to one another

so we might thrive.

We grow fragile in

this wondrous task of living.

The bird is on the wing.

What has become of these tender hearts

as we sit together

and forget about the world?

We gently rise and softly call goodnight.