Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: SATB chorus and orchestra or SATB and piano Instrumentation:2 Flutes (1 doubles Piccolo, 2 doubles Alto Flute), 2 Oboes (2 doubles E.H.), 2 Clarinets in Bb (2 doubles Bass Cl.), 2 Bassoons (2 doubles Contra Bassoon), 4 Horns in F., 3 Trumpets in C, 2 Tenor Trombones, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, Timpani, 2 Percussion, Harp, Piano/Celesta, Strings Text: Catherine O’Meara Duration: Cantata with chorus and orchestra, 18 min. 2023 arrangement for chorus and piano, 14 min. Premiere: May 5, 2022, University of New Mexico Choruses and Symphony Orchestra, directed by David Edmonds and Matthew Forte, respectively Commissioned by: University of New Mexico Chorus and Orchestra, directed by David Edmonds and Matthew Forte Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts or contact Andrea:
Commissioned by The University of New Mexico Choruses and Orchestra for their Concert for Healing on May 5, 2022,Singing into Presence is set to poetry by Catherine O’Meara about our personal and collective journeys into darkness and the possibility of emerging and walking together into a new world as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The work is essentially about what is possible in humanity when we come together and support one another with greater compassion, understanding and love.
TRIAGE
Poem by Catherine M. O’Meara
We knew it was coming, the darkness, the forest, the absence of light,
so we held one another and entered. What else could we do?
We did not expect deeper darkness
and yet there it was; how could that be?
Still.
We stood still,
and still, we could choose.
Futures called from distant perches.
We sang ourselves into presence.
The only way through is now.
We held each other’s hands and we did not let go.
We stepped forward, listening.
Some of us turned away. Most of us went on.
Death. We grieved.
Loss. Memories.
Still.
We whispered our dreams and set them on altars
in our hearts.
We held one another.
We sang ourselves into presence.
First this step, then this. Together. Now and now and now
and now. We suffered but we did not fear.
We breathed hope; in and out the music
of hope for this moment
and this one.
We did not expect deeper love
and yet there it was; how could that be?
And then the moonlight spilled through the trees…
We held each other’s hands
and we walked into the new day,
the different world.
We sing ourselves into presence.
Still.
We begin.
Singing into Presence
Scored for: SATB chorus and orchestra or SATB and piano
Instrumentation:2 Flutes (1 doubles Piccolo, 2 doubles Alto Flute), 2 Oboes (2 doubles E.H.), 2 Clarinets in Bb (2 doubles Bass Cl.), 2 Bassoons (2 doubles Contra Bassoon), 4 Horns in F., 3 Trumpets in C, 2 Tenor Trombones, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, Timpani, 2 Percussion, Harp, Piano/Celesta, Strings
Text: Catherine O’Meara
Duration: Cantata with chorus and orchestra, 18 min. 2023 arrangement for chorus and piano, 14 min.
Premiere: May 5, 2022, University of New Mexico Choruses and Symphony Orchestra, directed by David Edmonds and Matthew Forte, respectively
Commissioned by: University of New Mexico Chorus and Orchestra, directed by David Edmonds and Matthew Forte
Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts or contact Andrea:
See preview score pages:
Singing Into Presence Conductor’s Score – Score
WATCH
(begin at 16:08)
LISTEN
NOTES AND TEXT
Commissioned by The University of New Mexico Choruses and Orchestra for their Concert for Healing on May 5, 2022,Singing into Presence is set to poetry by Catherine O’Meara about our personal and collective journeys into darkness and the possibility of emerging and walking together into a new world as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The work is essentially about what is possible in humanity when we come together and support one another with greater compassion, understanding and love.
TRIAGE
Poem by Catherine M. O’Meara
We knew it was coming, the darkness, the forest, the absence of light,
so we held one another and entered. What else could we do?
We did not expect deeper darkness
and yet there it was; how could that be?
Still.
We stood still,
and still, we could choose.
Futures called from distant perches.
We sang ourselves into presence.
The only way through is now.
We held each other’s hands and we did not let go.
We stepped forward, listening.
Some of us turned away. Most of us went on.
Death. We grieved.
Loss. Memories.
Still.
We whispered our dreams and set them on altars
in our hearts.
We held one another.
We sang ourselves into presence.
First this step, then this. Together. Now and now and now
and now. We suffered but we did not fear.
We breathed hope; in and out the music
of hope for this moment
and this one.
We did not expect deeper love
and yet there it was; how could that be?
And then the moonlight spilled through the trees…
We held each other’s hands
and we walked into the new day,
the different world.
We sing ourselves into presence.
Still.
We begin.
© Copyright 2020 by Catherine M. O’Meara