Peace On Earth

Last evening, the Port Townsend Community Chorus premiered my peace meditation for chorus, "Peace On Earth," at its annual winter concert. I have been so focused on making the music accessible to the singers so that it could be performed well that I hadn't noticed how well the music sounds when sung by the chorus. I stand in the back of the chorus, singing with the tenors, so I am not able to hear the full sound emanating from the chorus as they sing the piece. I was not sure how it would sound to an audience since I stand in the back of the group surrounded by the bass, alto and tenor sections, hearing any hesitations in voices of the singers or notes that are not quite on pitch. These are little details so I know that I am standing in the middle of the singers, unable to see the forest for the trees.

Last evening, quite a few of the choral members told me how much they love singing the choral piece and a movement to record the song at one of the Sunday concerts has emerged from the group. Several people in the audience told me how much they were moved by the music and asked if it could be recorded because they would like to listen to it again and again. I am not able to hear the piece as a whole standing in the middle of the chorus but I get a sense of the way the music sounds to some people who hear it.

I have a history of being disappointed by the response to my creative endeavors throughout my life, so I feel surprised and awed by the response to my musical composition. I am having a new experience in my life. I feel like I'm in new territory and am unsure of my footing because it feels unfamiliar and new to me. I loved the music since I created it. I had no idea whether anyone else would respond to it the way I do. I felt cautious about sharing it with others, and first played it for a few close friends to see what their response would be. When they responded positively, I became curious about how others might respond, not knowing until just last evening how strongly and positively the other singers feel about the piece.

I feel grateful for the gift of this music in my life and I would love to see my music might bring a gift of peace to even more people.