Beyond the Horizon

Beyond the Horizon, commissioned by the South Carolina Philharmonic in honor of entering into a new millennium (2000), is an invitation to imagine a more perfect world. I drew inspiration from walking in the woods by a lake in South Carolina (Sesquicentennial Park). Bird calls, glints of sunlight on leaves, smells of trees and freshness, and an overall sense of gratitude and well-being infuse the music.

During a performance, I ask the listener to absorb the sounds as a meditation. You may close your eyes and experience the vibrations in your body as well as your mind. Let any emotions surface which are awakened. Connect with your own longings for goodness and wholeness in the world.

If the performance is live, the orchestra may play the piece again. In this second reading, you are invited to stand comfortably. This time, allow your longings to take expression through your voice. Hum or sustain any vowel on any pitch which resonates in you. Do not try to sing along with the orchestra or your neighbor. All the sounds will blend. Focus on putting your feelings and yearnings into your voice. Support the sound with your breath. Feel free to move your body as space permits. Again, closing your eyes may encourage greater freedom of expression.

The goal of Beyond the Horizon is to create a soundscape which will enable us all to express our individual and collective visions for the future, and to infuse the present with this vision.”