In the fall of 2023, I was commissioned by the choral program at Cactus High School in Peoria, Arizona to write a piece for their top ensemble, Naja Voce. They selected me partly because they were aware of my large volume of Vocal Jazz arrangements and wanted something with that harmonic and rhythmic flavor to tell their story.
The story that I gleaned in meeting with them initially was the passion and joy they felt from their choral experience under the direction of their teacher, Laura Huizenga. They spoke of the obstacles they all overcame together each year to start anew, with the most experienced singers passing the torch in the spring to their comrades coming up. Like many successful High School programs, it is this annual process that provides the students with the tools for success along with the guidance and care they receive from their director.
The discussion led me back to my own many experiences in choral ensembles over the years, beginning in high school and I found their words rang so true with my own life that the lyrics just poured forth, almost effortlessly.The result of this collaboration is “Music Lights the Way” which I hope will speak for itself.