Love, Death, What Else? (2023)

mixed chorus and piano, 19’

mixed chorus and full orchestra, 19’

“Woven together with quiet specificity, humor, and pathos…A compelling work, rich with character and soaring melodies.”

- Sheila Regan, TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press)

Commissioned and premiered by One Voice Mixed Chorus, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, Jan 14,15, and 22, 2023

Orchestra version commissioned by The Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra

I had the initial idea for this work many years ago. I wanted to compose music for and about LGBTQ elders. As a middle-aged queer man, I wanted to discover what I could learn from an older generation of the queer community. What stories could they share?

After receiving a McKnight Visiting Composer fellowship (after several attempts!), I found myself able to answer these questions in the Twin Cities, by meeting residents at and around Spirit on Lake (one of the US’s first LGBTQ senior housing concepts), and writing Love, Death, What Else? as a commission from One Voice Mixed Chorus. The title recalls themes in this work: love and joy, humor and reflection. These are stories about relationships, families, and yes, death. Many of the people I interviewed didn't fear death, but felt like there was (and is) never enough time to fulfill one's goals. I think many of us can relate to that—I feel honored that you chose to listen and engage with this new work.