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"Ere Sleep Comes Down" takes its text from three verses of a poem ("Ere Sleep Comes Down to Soothe the Weary Eyes") by African-American writer Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). While the poetic imagery is vivid— encompassing the range of emotion and intensity of a fully-lived life—I was drawn to the sense of calm and peace found in the final verse. The soul finding a sense of peace is something I think we hope to find at the end of any long journey. The music reflects this sense of calm, with its gentle 12/8 meter, as well as a sense of yearning with its harmonies inspired by traditional gospel and blues."Ere Sleep Comes Down" was composed for Chor Leoni Men’s Choir (Vancouver, Canada), in early 2019, in response to a call for new scores. It was one of three works selected from among a pool of national submissions, for premiere at the Orpheum Annex, Vancouver, on May 10th, 2019. I hope that the Chor Leoni has as much pleasure in singing this new work, as I had in discovering the text, and turning it into music.
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