Composing for a large group of performers is both an exciting and daunting experience.  The combination of a symphony orchestra and chorus is the Holy Grail to any composer, but it also brings the challenges of the wide of expanse of timbres that come with such a variety of instruments. With Infinitum, I feel like my compositional voice really connected with this incredible symphony of sounds.

Unlike many other choral works, I decided to start with the music first, and the words second.  I knew I wanted to create lush, romantic melodies and harmonies, but I needed a text to fit this style.  It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the first four lines of William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence” that I really felt like the words fit this vision.  I ultimately decided to add the phrase “Awake my son” to give the visualization of these wonderfully hopeful and poetic words creating a special connection between a parent and their child.

Infinitum was commissioned by the Colorado Combined League Honor Orchestra and Chorus.

Awake my son!

To see a world in a Grain of Sand

And Heaven in a Flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour