Message of Light (Score)

Steve Danyew / MURPHY / W-MESSAGE-A

Message of Light (Score)

$30.00

Steve Danyew

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In 2019, the Fairfield, CT public schools commissioned a piece to celebrate the creation of the Bel Canto Singers – a treble voice choir that was being launched at two high schools. Students from both high schools collaborated and wrote the text that I eventually set to music, a text that speaks of unity, hope, uncertain futures, and legacy. The words remind me of how I felt as a high school senior—looking forward to an unknown but exciting path, while at the same time looking back and feeling that ache of nostalgia.

In the spring of 2022, I returned to this text and the music I had written to accompany it. It is graduation season again as I write this, and those same emotions expressed in the text written by the Fairfield students are swirling in many peoples’ minds and hearts.

I’ve also been reading this text lately and reflecting on how it can relate to a world that seems increasingly divided and violent. Russia has invaded Ukraine, tearing apart families, communities, and a country. The students write “Though there are times when storms may shake, and fear and doubt may overtake, when we’re afraid we will keep singing.”

The title Message of Light comes from my favorite line of the poem: “May our message be the light that takes your future to new heights.” It is striking to me that ultimately the message of the poem is hope for others, for those who will follow them. They reflect on their own experiences, their own growth, their own uncertain paths ahead, but ultimately they want their insights and their music to provide hope for others. Our world could certainly use more messages of light like that.

We are one, we are all,
We stand together, we’ll never fall.

We sing for strength, we sing for love,
We are united, we’ll rise above.

We sing this song to leave our mark
For friends to come and take our part.

And when we go, we will stay near,
We keep the music, sweet and clear.

Though there are times when storms may shake
And fear and doubt may overtake

When we’re afraid, we will keep singing
We must trust our new beginnings.

May our message be the light
That takes your future to new heights.

We leave this here to share our call,
Our song of love and hope for all.