Songs of Love and Life

Rental Parts

Songs of Love and Life was commissioned jointly by the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Bands in honor of conductor Allan McMurray.

The poems chosen for Songs of Love and Life —all written by contemporary American poets—were discovered slowly, after a painstakingly long and careful search. Indeed, the only poem I had decided upon when I began composing the work was Leland Kinsey’s Swinging into the Night with its beautiful depiction of a boy being pushed on a swing by an exhausted but grateful parent. After several more weeks of searching, I stumbled upon two more stunningly powerful poems that further strengthened the themes of love and life—Philip Booth’s delicate First Lesson, about a daughter being taught to trust, and Steve Scafidi’s touching and witty Prayer for Marriage. But it took yet another two months to find the poem that would end the song cycle. David Budbill’s vivid depiction of a man at the beginning of his old age—expressing nothing more than simple gratitude for being alive—struck me like a thunderbolt. I knew I’d found the perfect poem for my finale.

I am grateful to all four poets, whose words sustained and inspired me throughout the creative process. I am also grateful for the opportunity to compose Songs of Love and Life as a symbol of my enduring friendship with Allan and his wife, Judy.

Program Note by composer