Every Given Light
Choral Music
chorus with piano
work detail
instrumentation: SSA and piano
completion date: january 2023
duration: 4 minutes
texts: On an original poem, "Every Given Light," by Jan Richardson
events
BU SINGERS: KALEIDOSCOPE
Boston Children's Chorus
Marsh Chapel - Boston University - Boston, MA
6:00 pm
Enjoy rich tapestry of singing through an eclectic evening of vocal music with Boston University School of Music Singers & Boston Children’s Chorus Premiere Choir. Program to include my work Every Given Light. More information here.
IU PRO CANTARE CONCERT
Pro Cantare - Dominick DiOrio & Raoul Carlo F. Angangco, conductors
Auer Concert Hall - Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
8:00 pm
The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Pro Cantare Ensemble gives their Spring Concert performance, which includes my original works Leave My Heart Its Songs and Every Given Light.
KEEPERS OF DREAMS
Cincinnati Youth Choir - Robyn Lana, founder and artistic director
Corbett Auditorium - University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH
5:00 pm
Now in its 31st year, CYC will feature the CCM resident choirs performing music that celebrates its legacy of ‘building tomorrow’s leaders one voice at the time.’ Highlights will include new commissions, favorite repertoire, and engaging new compositions. Featuring my work Every Given Light. More info here.
WE ARE THE LIGHT
Barrington Children's Choir - Joyce Haqq, cond.
Barrington United Methodist - Barrington, IL
4:00 pm
The Barrington Children's Choir gives a performance of my work Every Given Light during their Spring concert titled WE ARE THE LIGHT. More information and tickets.
BU SINGERS: SONGS OF LOVE
Boston University Singers - Daniel Parsley, cond.
Boston University Tsai Performance Center - 685 Commonwealth Ave - Boston, MA
7:30 pm
Daniel Parsley, graduate student conductors, and the Boston University Singers perform my works Every Given Light and The Red-Gold Darkness of Rain as part of their Spring choral concert.
commission and dedication
Commissioned by the Cincinnati Youth Choir and Robyn Lana, Artistic Director
composer's note
By now, Robyn Lana has the auspicious honor of being the person who has commissioned new music from me more than anyone else: this work marks our fourth original commissioned project together. I was absolutely thrilled to get Robyn’s phone call – as the young people she teaches are artists of the highest calibre, and I always know their performances will be top-notch.
So it is also with this commission, Every Given Light, a work born of a particular time and circumstance. I was happy to apply my usual sense of timeliness to finish the work in less than a week. You’ll find the music itself is imbued with a similar sense of urgency, defiance, optimism, and hope. May its dedicatee be blessed.
-- January 2023
text
EVERY GIVEN LIGHT A Blessing
There are days we think only so much is given— a glint, a gleam, a light so small we could carry it in the palm of our hand, just enough to let us see the next step, perhaps, into the mystery.
There are days grace comes but in shadow, days it gathers itself into the corners, days it seems to turn its gaze sidelong as if distracted, or pondering, or paused.
Let it be said this is not that day.
This is the day when grace gives out its radiance, declaring itself to everything in sight.
This is the day when every given light bears forth like a star, turning its face toward us with the brilliance that was there all along, that it had saved just for us, just for the joy of seeing us shine.
—Jan Richardson
information
events
BU SINGERS: KALEIDOSCOPE
Boston Children's Chorus
Marsh Chapel - Boston University - Boston, MA
6:00 pm
Enjoy rich tapestry of singing through an eclectic evening of vocal music with Boston University School of Music Singers & Boston Children’s Chorus Premiere Choir. Program to include my work Every Given Light. More information here.
IU PRO CANTARE CONCERT
Pro Cantare - Dominick DiOrio & Raoul Carlo F. Angangco, conductors
Auer Concert Hall - Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
8:00 pm
The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Pro Cantare Ensemble gives their Spring Concert performance, which includes my original works Leave My Heart Its Songs and Every Given Light.
KEEPERS OF DREAMS
Cincinnati Youth Choir - Robyn Lana, founder and artistic director
Corbett Auditorium - University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH
5:00 pm
Now in its 31st year, CYC will feature the CCM resident choirs performing music that celebrates its legacy of ‘building tomorrow’s leaders one voice at the time.’ Highlights will include new commissions, favorite repertoire, and engaging new compositions. Featuring my work Every Given Light. More info here.
WE ARE THE LIGHT
Barrington Children's Choir - Joyce Haqq, cond.
Barrington United Methodist - Barrington, IL
4:00 pm
The Barrington Children's Choir gives a performance of my work Every Given Light during their Spring concert titled WE ARE THE LIGHT. More information and tickets.
BU SINGERS: SONGS OF LOVE
Boston University Singers - Daniel Parsley, cond.
Boston University Tsai Performance Center - 685 Commonwealth Ave - Boston, MA
7:30 pm
Daniel Parsley, graduate student conductors, and the Boston University Singers perform my works Every Given Light and The Red-Gold Darkness of Rain as part of their Spring choral concert.
commission and dedication
Commissioned by the Cincinnati Youth Choir and Robyn Lana, Artistic Director
composer's note
By now, Robyn Lana has the auspicious honor of being the person who has commissioned new music from me more than anyone else: this work marks our fourth original commissioned project together. I was absolutely thrilled to get Robyn’s phone call – as the young people she teaches are artists of the highest calibre, and I always know their performances will be top-notch.
So it is also with this commission, Every Given Light, a work born of a particular time and circumstance. I was happy to apply my usual sense of timeliness to finish the work in less than a week. You’ll find the music itself is imbued with a similar sense of urgency, defiance, optimism, and hope. May its dedicatee be blessed.
-- January 2023
text
EVERY GIVEN LIGHT A Blessing
There are days we think only so much is given— a glint, a gleam, a light so small we could carry it in the palm of our hand, just enough to let us see the next step, perhaps, into the mystery.
There are days grace comes but in shadow, days it gathers itself into the corners, days it seems to turn its gaze sidelong as if distracted, or pondering, or paused.
Let it be said this is not that day.
This is the day when grace gives out its radiance, declaring itself to everything in sight.
This is the day when every given light bears forth like a star, turning its face toward us with the brilliance that was there all along, that it had saved just for us, just for the joy of seeing us shine.
—Jan Richardson
