Fortress

My Fortress is written for the combined forces of a full mixed choir playing no fewer than five percussion instruments and an octet of body percussionists (who also sing). Rhythms are inspired by an Afro-Brazilian groove.

The text is obviously a powerful one, and it's a symbol for people using music to express suffering. Interestingly, songs like "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" have come to take on the suffering of an entire people. This community, created through singing and oral tradition, combats suffering and has (arguably) protected folks from depression and despair. I chose this text because it's very explicit, very sad, and it strongly contrasts the energy and dancing of the rhythmic drive. The protective force created by music saves people.

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,
a long way from home.

Fortress was commissioned by the Chicago Children's Choir (Josephine Lee, artistic director) and will be premiered in Spring 2006.