I Arise Today

Program Notes:

Matthew Emery is a Canadian composer. This work, based on words of St. Patrick, celebrates being alive.

Conductor Notes:

Three-part treble choir with C instrument

I selected this piece for our 2018 Choral Leadership for Young Women workshop, which is a one-evening event at which, among other activities and performance, we learn a piece with all 200 singers. Matthew is an excellent composer, brought up in the fine Amabile organization in Ontario, and he writes well for voice. The impact of this work is energetic and optimistic. Some rhythmic complexity, which sounds completely natural once learned, is the biggest challenge in sight-reading the piece. The obbligato could be played by a student flautist or violinist. We have not yet included this piece in a concert, but I will be looking for an opportunity to do so.

Composer / Arranger Notes:

Commissioned by the Amabile Choirs of London, Canada.

Words based on St. Patrick

I arise today,
thru the strength of heaven,
the light of the sun, the radiance of the moon.

The splendor of fire, the speed of lightning,
The swiftness of the wind.
I arise today.

The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of the rock,
I arise today.